Ryan Joy (atxryan)

• Time Warner close to losing Viacom channels. http://tr.im/2rje [I’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone how much I loathe TW. I c … #
• *whew* I booked a flight for 4 people to the wrong city last night. Managed to cancel that flight, but almost couldn’t find a cheap fare … #
• Crisis averted. Flight booked. Snowboarding trip saved. #
• @RNSuprJade Not only did I manage to find a flight, but it’s actually $200 less! (I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop though) #
• @BaldMan @marylemons Mine was stable for 3 yrs making me a good Lasik candidate. Then it shifted this last time. I blame my line of work. #
• @lkernell http://twitpic.com/yb4c - Wow. The previous owner must’ve been a contractor. How much has it cost you to properly dispose this … #
• Using social media in real-time during times of war - http://tr.im/2scx #
• I-35 northbound traffic is teh horrible. Accident at Oltorf. Avoid like the plague. #

Israel is making full use of social media to sway public opinion and convince the world at large that their offensive in Gaza is a justifiable response to the constant missiles being rained upon them from Hamas-controlled territories. (I’m not going to debate whether they’re correct or not. I’m just listing the social media tools Israel is employing. I feel macabre writing about SM in this environ and I sincerely hope the current conflict ends soon.)

For example, yesterday @IsraelConsulate held a Q&A session via Twitter using the hashtag #AskIsrael. There were some very contentious questions and I think they were handled well by @IsraelConsulate.

There is also the Israel Defense Forces’ Spokesperson’s Unit YouTube channel with videos of precision-targeted air strikes on purported Hamas missile facilities and smuggling tunnels inside Gaza. So far 16 videos have been uploaded and there are more being added as they become available.

Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (or his office) is twittering via @Netanyahu (if you speak Hebrew).

Israel’s push into social media seems to mostly be due to David Saranga who Wikipedia lists as the Israeli Consul for Media and Public Affairs and credits with being the “first diplomat who implemented Web 2.0 governmental initiatives, including the first official blog of a country, a MySpace page, YouTube channel, Facebook page and a political blog.” It’s unclear if Mr. Saranga is responsible for getting the IDF YouTube page and Mr. Netanyahu’s office to embrace these alternate medias as well.

I can’t think of another time social media has been used by a State to press their case. For better or worse, it’s propaganda and lobbying on the public at large. But the difference here is the engagement in dialogue vs. the typical official statements and video releases.

• @doni_wilson The Green Bags, as seen on TV, work surprisingly well. #
• @marylemons Yeah, it’s amazing what they do for bananas! Although, did you ever experience a gnat problem while using them? #
• Watching @IsraelConsulate take questions and engage in debate w/ folks on both sides of the Gaza issue http://tr.im/2r4h [thx @DougWick] #
• Abstinence only education and virginity pledges continue to be proven ineffective. Scary: pledgers less likely to be safe. http://tr.im/2r7z #
• Seeking out a happy hour. Please advise. #

• Finally getting around to using @1password on both my MBP and iPhone. #
• @rickbenavidez Even better, turn on “Display Topographic Information”… #
• RT @Do512_Kristin: RT @austinist Austin Police Reinstating ‘No Refusal’ Policy on NYE http://is.gd/e1zC - Be safe out there, folks. #
• As if we all didn’t already know that $20 for “Unlimited Texting!!!” is a ripoff: http://tr.im/2q4x #

• Walking into the Toyota Center to watch the Rockets play the Jazz still never have seen an NBA 1st qtr. #
• Finishing a beer in the concourse because NBA rules no longer permit alcohol in the seating area after the start of the 4th qtr. Teh laame. #
• Tied at 96, half second on the clock. I could use a beer right now. ;-) #
• 101-101. Double overtime. Srsly, NBA, you can’t assume that that last beer will get me through the game. #
• @RNSuprJade Unfortunately I was ill-prepared for this new rule. It won’t happen next time. #
• @ginnymin I’ll have to look up the Pistons-Pacers brawl. Must’ve been a helluva show to result in a league rule on the fans. :-p #
• Walking into the Texans-Bears game late. It’s cold, rainy, and the roof is still broken and open. :-( #
• Houston up at the half. 14-10. They’re playing well against the Chicago defense. #
• Chicago scores and narrows the Texans’ lead to 4. 21-17, 5 minutes left in the 3rd qtr. #
• Houston is in a position to keep the Bears home for the new year. 31-17. A few minutes left. Don’t f*ck up, Texans. #

• Gizmo LOVES riding the 4-wheeler - http://snaptweet.com/c3416 #
• Drinking a large 7&7 and writing a few bookmarklets to improve my iPhone’s usability. #
• Oh wow. As I’m sitting on the porch a cold front just passed over. Instantly 10+ degrees colder. #
• @yatahazy I saw that shite yesterday at the movie theatre. 3 minutes of captive audience. Bastards. #
• @timothompson Not sure how you feel about a surprise bday party or the fact that your niece is unable to keep secret? :-D #
• Testing my social reach in Houston on behalf of a relative. :-) #
• Houston: My father has 6 tiks for Mon.’s Rockets game. $40/ea for $60 face value. http://tr.im/tiks #

• What’s left of the Las Manitas & Tesoros Trading Co. buildings - http://snaptweet.com/257a9 #
• Merry Christmas or whichever to you and your’s. #

• Heading to the Gingerman for a pre-holiday pint and conversation w/ Austin Web Design folks. #
• I noticed yesterday that Google is now indexing Twitter Search queries. Neat. http://tr.im/2ma0 #
• @rickbenavidez Depends. There’s the yellow background on hover, a la Flickr, for edit in place. I’d go with a pencil over the words edit me. #
• @rickbenavidez Also, if it’s a hyperlink I generally expect to go somewhere. If I’m editing an actual link or link text, an external con … #
• Wondering for whom I’ve forgotten to buy gifts. #
• RT @damon: iPhone fart app pulls in nearly $10,000 a day- http://tinyurl.com/9pvksf (via @fnthawar) [I'm obviously in the wrong business.] #
• @RNSuprJade WooHoo! Knock ‘em dead! Err, wait… actually, keep ‘em alive but then get the heck outta there! #
• Austin: what’s the Armadillo Xmas Bazaar like? Is it worth the trip for last minute or white elephant gifts? #
• Currently walking all around downtown Austin doing last minute shopping and just generally checking out the deals offered. #
• @doni_wilson I haven’t been in a while, but make sure to get bananas with your rice. #
• Went to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar based on recs from multiple followers. Finished my shopping. Def. worth it. #
• @kimhaynes I did; it held true to it’s name. I ended up getting a cutting board, painting & candles, all Austin-themed to incite city-envy. #

• Surprised our roommate, Bryan, w/ tiks and airfare to The Price is Right for his xmas/bday gift. All the roommies are going. Teh awesome. #
• Wish I could find my mouse. WFHing is not very productive on a trackpad. #
• /me looks up to see the mouse *right* in front of him and blushes embarrassment. :-D #
• @pickell haha… you’ve gotta watch those jolly old men. #
• RT @austinonrails: via @damon: woah. Rails is Merb. Merb is Rails. - http://tinyurl.com/8h5cly [Developers, what's your reaction to this?] #
• Closing out bugz before year end and Testing out SnapTweet - http://snaptweet.com/9e414 #
• Switched to using @SnapTweet instead of @TwitPic so photos automatically end up in my Flickr acct. Don’t know why I hadn’t already done so. #
• Picked up this awesome dress for my niece Hailey. Pretty sure her mom’s gonna hate it. *evil grin* - http://snaptweet.com/185be #
• @sarah703 It’s from Parts & Labour on South Congress. Great store to always find stuff from local designers and jewelers. #
• @GlamJunkie I don’t think they’re anime. I think they’re ’80s clipart. #

I did a Google search on the #tcot Twitter hashtag to determine what it stood for (Top Conversatives on Twitter as far as I can tell). I was pleasantly surprised to see the search.twitter.com service featured in it’s #1 spot.