Facebook-

The cream of the crop when it comes to social media. Facebook now has over 1 billion users on its site and its popularity and recognition should be taken into consideration if you decide to go with Facebook. Most known businesses have a Facebook ‘page’ because of its accessibility and is considered one of the most popular social media sites to advertise off of at an affordable price. This is the perfect site for networking and actively engaging with your audience through posts, questions, and comments. Facebook also allows you to track specific collected data on how your page is doing through views, demographics, unique visitors, and how often your page is discussed. It’s a one stop shop for marketing your page.

Twitter-

In the world of hashtags, Twitter allows your business to build a voice around your audience. This social media platform requires you to interact with your ‘followers’ on a timely basis by posting messages, answering questions, or mentioning them in a status update (Tweet). Actively engaging with your followers should be your goal if you decide to go with this social media platform. It is also best if you use Twitter as a 1st party source as you should have frequent and quick updates to post. You’ll start to see that Twitter is ideal for customer feedback and relations if you maintain your page on a regular basis.

Google Plus-

New to the social media game is Google+. On the surface, Google+ might seem like the lovechild of Facebook and Twitter, but it’s much more than that. We all know how powerful Google has gotten and in terms of regulating Search Engine Optimization, and using Google+ could help boost and legitimize search results for your business with its +1 feature.  Segmenting your clients and business partners into different ‘circles’ is a great way to control what content is shared and seen amongst them. There’s also another segmenting feature of joining specific niche communities (i.e. Science & Technology). In all, the idea of Google+ is great since it utilizes all Google features (Gmail, Google Maps, Google Analytics, Google Adwords, Google Drive) and integrates them on your page, but it’s still too new and is attempting to build its popularity from the ground up. There’s simply not enough users to see Google+’s full potential. Unless everyone is forced to use Google as a default account,we can’t expect much from using Google+ just yet.

LinkedIn-

Labeled as the ‘World’s Largest Professional Network’, LinkedIn is intended for the business professional looking to network and make connections. It’s all about your ‘connections’ on LinkedIn as many people will usually use this as a jumping point to build and maintain business relations after they’ve exchanged business cards. You can also create a company page on LinkedIn which will allow you to promote your business to potential clients, customers, or other businesses. A few extra features on LinkedIn include endorsing or being endorsed by another connection in a specialized expertise. This will streamline your page to benefit you in all sorts of business recruitment. LinkedIn can also be used as a platform for think tanks, sharing ideas, and keeping in touch with all of your colleagues. Overall, LinkedIn is very exclusive when it comes to social networking and is great to find legitimate professional connections.

USF Health Information Sciences Helpdesk Support is a service that is taking the University by storm. The HSC community has a great deal to thank for the Helpdesk Support Team who work and offer their support. Most of the computer services given are free by expert technicians so you know you’ll be getting top notch assistance. There are a plethora of reasons when and why you should contact the Helpdesk if your computer starts to go haywire…or if you just need help on how to setup a new desktop.

1. Computer setup:  Requests for USF owned computer setup
2. Password Resets/Lockouts:  Both for the Clinical environment and HSCNET accounts
3. Batch Crashes/Recovery:  IDX/Persona systems
4. Printers:  Spool issues, print queue resets, adding printers from servers
5. Remote desktop:  Install VPN clients, Citrix access, Connectra, RDP using one of the these methods
6. E-mail:  Mail configuration internally/externally, e-mail backups, sharing and transferring mailboxes/calendars/etc.
7. Mobile Devices:  E-mail configuration, enrollment into Airwatch
8. Virus/Malware issues:  Clean and scan processes
9. Windows OS troubleshooting:  Common Windows errors, dual-screen configurations, screen resolutions, Windows updates, reduce startup items
10. Restoration of Windows or other OS (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer):  Data backups, Reformatting of OS, OS upgrades
11. Mac Support:  Software upgrades, e-mail configuration, dual-boot w/ Windows 7 using boot camp or VM software
12. Walk-up Window:  Computers, laptops may be dropped off for setup/troubleshooting

Social capital has increased its value in social networking ever since we have transitioned into the new age of digital and social media. Anyone can tell you that there’s a sense of belonging, commonality, and most importantly connection within any type of social network. Twitter is the perfect example of how people can utilize the social media platform to increase their social capital.

There’s a misconception that the more followers you have on Twitter, then the more social capital you possess. As far as Twitter is concerned, the quality of followers is much more valuable than the quantity of followers since there are many spam accounts. Here are a few ways you or your business can organically increase the number of quality followers on your Twitter handle…

1. To start, start following

You got to start somewhere and the first and easiest step is to start following other users on Twitter. Try and find other users that have the same interest as you do and perhaps they’ll follow you in return. This can be an effective way to build your social empire. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t attempt to follow as many people as you can for the sake of following, otherwise you might start to look like an unsolicited account.

2. Norms of reciprocity

Once you start gaining more followers, it’s a good idea that you start building a relationship with them. If you still have users that you follow that still don’t follow you, try and give them recognition by mentioning their Twitter handle using the at (@) sign in a status update (tweet). Re-tweeting (RT) someone else’s tweet will also be helpful as you repost it on your page for others to see. But remember that you should always reward your followers first and foremost. Mention them, re-tweet them, and most of all thank them in a tweet. Make your followers feel special. Acknowledge them.You should always give back as much as you receive with Twitter. You’ll then start to realize that the norms of reciprocity should start to kick in.

4. Share meaningful content

Becoming a resource on Twitter is another way you can increase your followship. Your followers will eventually look forward to what you have to post when you share useful and meaningful content. Try sharing links such as breaking news, events, photos, fun facts, statistics, or even helpful advice. The goal is to use certain links in hopes that your followers will re-tweet your link for their followers to see. Right then and there you’re already at the third degree of separation.

5. The power of the hashtag

You’ve probably noticed that hashtags (#) are popping everywhere lately. They’re used on almost every source of media as a means to organize topics and information. Adding a pound sign before a word or series of words without any spaces will link you to all of the posts pertaining to that particular hashtag. The best way to efficiently utilize the hashtag in your tweet is to join in on trending topics and discussions in the Twittersphere. You will definitely get more views from unique visitors within that hashtag subject. And who knows, maybe you’ll get a new follower because of it. On a side note, try not to include more than 2-3 hashtags in your tweet. It looks ridiculous if you overuse it and is just considered proper Twitter hashtag etiquette.

6. Promote

Try promoting and linking back to your other social networking sites if you want to take an organic approach in boosting your number of followers. Be sure to promote your Twitter handle if you have an account on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. This will allow you to potentially gain more followers that you already know instead of random people. Inserting your Twitter handle on your business card, email signature, or any sort of digital and print advertising wouldn’t hurt either.

You can use your Wi-Fi enabled computer laptop or tablet to gain access to many internet resources such as e-mail, web browsing, and messaging without the need of a wired connection. Using your smartphone under Wi-Fi access is also recommended to avoid high charges on your data plans. Following a very ambitious year-long expansion and upgrade project, the new USF Health Wireless network is rapidly growing with about 400 access points providing convenient wireless access in more than 40 buildings which includes the Morsani Center for Advanced Health Care.

Wi-Fi is also offered at the South Tampa Center for Advanced Health Care as well as our USF Health location on Davis Island. The wireless network provides the USF Health community with a safe and secure wireless network. Users can take advantage of our Secure wireless network, which will encrypt all wireless transmissions using WPA2/WPA technology.

You may have noticed that there are 5 different Wi-Fi networks for you to connect to; USF, USF-GOLD, USFHealth, USFHealth-Guest, and USFHealth-Secure. Listed below are the rundowns and the authorizations of each of the Wi-Fi networks made available…

USFHealth-Secure:  Encrypted with WPA2\AES, Authenticated via Radius  (recommended network for all Faculty\Staff). Access to everything as if you’re plugged into a network jack. **Non domain laptops require additional configuration**

USFHealth: Web Authentication via Radius (not encrypted). Access to everything as if you’re plugged into a network jack.  **Have to open a web browser to log in before your connection will work** 

USFHealth-Guest: Open Network, no Authentication\Encryption. Access to Internet only.  No access to any internal resource (G drive, RDP, etc..)

USF:  Main campus network that we relay through our system, no Encryption. USF-IT controls this solely.  **You have to open a web browser to register**

USF-GOLD:  Main campus network that we relay through our system. Requires additional configuration for encrypted network. USF-IT controls this solely.   **Learn more at http://www.net.usf.edu/wireless/USF-GOLD **

• Set up Auto-Reply

Auto-reply sends an automatic response to any e-mails you receive, and is a great way to let people know you’re out of the office, when you will return, and who to contact for assistance while you’re gone. Click “File,” then “Automatic Replies.”

• Schedule a meeting room

For USF Health IS Outlook users who need to schedule time in a conference room, go to the Outlook calendar, then click “Open Calendar” in the top ribbon. Select “From Room List” and find the room you need. Once you’ve made a selection you will see the calendar for that room next to your personal calendar. Right click the room calendar, select “New meeting request,” and include the meeting start and end time.

• Add Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc) Recipients

When composing an e-mail, click “Options” and then “Bcc Show Fields.” You may now enter any e-mails you’d like to be bcc’d.

• Increase message font size

If you’re having a hard time reading e-mails, increase the size of the font in your e-mails by holding the Ctrl button and turning the scroll wheel on your mouse down. Unfortunately this only changes the font size for the current message you’re viewing. For a more permanent solution for your personal e-mail messages, go to “File,” click “Options” and then “Mail.” In the “Compose Messages” category, select “Stationery and Fonts” and then “New mail messages.” You can adjust the font size of any new e-mails you compose from this dialog box.

• Ignore a conversation

Receiving an e-mail as part of a large e-mail distribution list usually is a given in a work environment, and usually isn’t much cause for concern. However, your patience may be tested if multiple people begin replying to that e-mail and therefore the entire distribution list. Receiving multiple e-mails in the span of a few minutes  is also a pain for Outlook users who receive e-mail alerts on their mobile device. To ignore a conversation, right click the conversation and choose “Ignore.” This will delete the existing e-mail thread and any future messages.

• Add a screenshot to your e-mail

There are times when a screenshot is easier than trying to explain what you see on your screen. From your new e-mail or reply e-mail, click on “Insert” and then “Screenshot.” Within the “Available Windows” box, choose one of the windows or select “Screen Clipping” at the bottom of the box to select the area of the screen you’d like to take a screenshot of.

• Automatically close a message window after responding

Click on “File,” then “Options,” then “Mail,” then scroll down to the “Replies and Forwards” section. Select the “Close original message” option.

• Use the jumplist

Pin Outlook to your Windows taskbar, then right click the icon. From this jumplist you will be able to send a new e-mail message, schedule a new appointment or meeting, or add a new contact or task to Outlook.

Useful keyboard shortcuts:

• Compose new message: ctrl + shift + m
• Mail view: ctrl + 1
• Calendar view: ctrl +2
• Compose a new e-mail: ctrl + n
• Reply to current e-mail: ctrl + r
• Forward current e-mail: ctrl + f
• Delete current e-mail: ctrl + d

This brings up the notion that there are unwritten rules on how to maintain a professional image on Facebook. There are consequences when you disclose such personal information for the World Wide Web to view. Here are a few tips on better managing your Facebook page, or whenever you’re thinking of posting something into the great public abyss known as the ‘News Feed’.

•  Treat your page like a brand

There’s an option where you can now choose a URL for your Facebook page. This will give you the appearance that you have your very own webpage. You may have some fun when trying to ‘brand’ yourself, but remember to be professional and keep it classy. With that in mind, you need to rethink on how your page is displayed through the perspective of others – your audience if you will. Define the type of image you want portrayed to your employer. Your image and presence will speak volumes about your personality.

•   Moderate your Timeline

Facebook recently converted all users to utilize the new Timeline interface. Timeline allows you and other users to delve deep into the archives and view all of your activity and content chronologically since you signed up to Facebook. A good rule of thumb for managing your Timeline content is to act as if you were to share your information in the workplace for your employer to see. Keep track of all of your posts, statuses, photos, likes, comments, events, and any other related activity to make sure it’s appropriate and presentable. This includes what your friends may post on your Timeline too. You can moderate your content on your page by clicking on the upper right hand corner of an activity and either ‘Hide from Timeline’ or completely ‘Delete’ it if you wish.

• Facebook tracks each and every move

Keeping the moderation of your Timeline in consideration, Facebook also keeps track of your every single move and activity as it is posted on your friends’ News Feed.  Again, be wary on what you post as it is broadcasted live instantaneously for others to see. Like Big Brother, Facebook is watching you.

•   Privacy Settings

If the first three steps require you to filter too much information about your personal life, there’s always the simpler option of making your profile private in fear of wondering what your employer or future potential employers may see. Go to Privacy Settings and Tools and you can decide if you want to make your page viewable to the public, friends, or even just yourself. This applies to your Timeline and Tagging settings as well. The last thing you want is to jeopardize your career and reputation in the workplace by being tagged in a photo at your favorite bar getting highly inebriated.

            Please note the following:

• For clinics seeing patients during this downtime period, manual procedures must be put in place.

There continues to be upgrade activity required for the GE Centricity Business Practice Management System in an effort to prepare us later for ICD10.  Because both our practice management system and our electronic health record (Allscripts) are integrated as one system we are required to restrict access to the entire PCIS application during any upgrade.

New desktop controls are being deployed to all workstations this week.  Laptops will update the next time they log into the system after the upgrade is complete.

We are making every effort to reduce the hours of downtime which are required by our vendors to perform upgrades in the PCIS system.

For any questions or concerns, call the USF Health IS Help Desk at 974-6288 or submit an email to support@health.usf.edu.

Using unethical SEO techniques could lead to your site being banned from search engine results.

Like everything else in the world of business, there are good and bad ways to go about optimizing a website for search engines.

While both ways can increase your page ranking on search engine results, using unethical techniques can lead to your website being pushed further down the list of search results or banned from search engines altogether.

The most accepted and encouraged SEO techniques are called white hat methods. Because this approach takes time to increase your page ranking it doesn’t seem as attractive as the black hat methods (see below) but is a safe, long-term way to build web traffic. Learn more about these techniques by clicking here.

Black hat methods are unacceptable and highly discouraged ways of bringing traffic to your website. These methods bring short-term results, but once a search engine notices that you are cheating the system, your page could be penalized or banned.

Black hat methods include:

• Overusing keywords in page content to the point where the page is almost unreadable
• Hiding groups of keywords by making the same color as the webpage’s background
• Hiding text behind images or within hidden div or alt tags
• Tricking people into clicking links that look like normal text
• Paying webmasters to put your link on their websites to increase link popularity (the total number of websites that link to your website)
• Plagiarizing content from another website to bring visitors to your page instead
• Linking to or from websites with unrelated or low-quality content
• Creating webpages full of keywords  that attract search engines but are invisible to visitors due to quick redirects

Since the world of SEO is not restricted to black and white, there is another technique that abides to the rules while bending them slightly…

Gray hat methods are questionable but not inadmissible SEO techniques. These methods won’t get you banned from search engines, but you could be penalized. Competing websites could also report you to search engines for using these techniques which could remove you from search results.

Gray hat methods include:

• Using a high volume of keywords
• Publishing multiple instances of the same content
• Buying links solely to raise link popularity

The best way to make sure your website doesn’t get punished by search engines is to keep your audience in mind. How does your website look to someone who has never seen it? Does written content flow smoothly, or do keywords seem unnaturally placed?  Will visitors find the same content repeatedly? Your website should look professional and trustworthy.

If you still have trouble with web traffic, check for the following:

• Duplicate Meta descriptions or content: do you reuse the same Meta descriptions or content on multiple pages?
• Confusing navigation: is it hard for visitors to navigate your website?
• Dead links: will visitors leave your site because many links don’t work?
• Vague URLs: are your links SEO-friendly (http://mysite.com/food/recipes.htm) or do they contain a bunch of jumbled characters that search engines won’t know how to interpret (http://datawesomesie.com/page.php?name=unknown&age=21&page=2)?
• Ads above the fold: when a user visits your website, will they see multiple ads before they scroll down?

To learn more about how to optimize your website for search engines, call the USF Health Information Systems support desk at (813) 974-6288.

USF Health IS already offers several ways for our customers to receive technology help and support, and we are expanding on these options by  introducing a live chat portal. This live chat portal will allow customers to initiate assistance with a live technician instantly from the computer they are working on. From this chat a technician can initiate a remote session to start working on the technology issue and find a resolution.

Our new chat portal feature will help our technicians serve customers faster.

This live chat feature will improve response time by cutting out the time it takes for a technician to show up at the customer’s desk. If a customer has a question that seems too simple for a phone call, he or she can go to the chat portal and ask the question without having to pick up a telephone.

The Service Desk’s live chat portal is coming soon, and we will continue to make updates regarding the status of this new feature.

If you currently need assistance, please contact USF Health IS in the following ways:

• Service Desk Email: support@health.usf.edu
• Service Desk Phone:  813-974-6288 Option #2
• Service Desk Web Portal: https://footprints.health.usf.edu/footprints/support.html

USF Health Information Systems and USF Health Communications are working together on a new campaign to bring more patients to the practice plan side of USF Health.

The Doctors of USF Health campaign will include new advertisements, webpages, and tools to improve patient access. USF Health patients can already schedule their appointments online, and as part of this campaign patients will soon be able to use a new electronic patient intake form that replaces the paper form at provider offices.

Each of USF Health’s clinical specialties will receive various aspects of this campaign, including applications, website branding, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing in an order determined by the USF Physicians Group.

Expect to see a new website for this campaign in late September as we continue to bring you updates about this campaign.