Google Wave, the much-anticipated, newest addition to the Google family, is expected to change e-mail and Internet collaboration as we know it. A “wave” is an interactive conversation that you create with other users. Think of it as a Word document to which you can add infinite collaborators … or a brainstorming session, automatically transferred into an online conversation.

In addition to typing text, you can share photos, videos, links, maps, surveys and more – all in one convenient space. The fact that the application is live makes it ideal for working remotely. The features provide the opportunity to plan everything from a presentation to an event in one centralized location, rather than sorting through a mess of e-mail trails.

Lars Rasmussen, among others, put together a demonstration using the Declaration of Independence – and how it might have come together, had our founders been using Wave. The example makes use of the playback option, real-time text editing and ability to add multiple collaborators.

It seems the jury is still out on Google Wave, and it will probably remain that way until it is fully released to the public. In the meantime, some think it blurs the line between fun and function, while others see exciting potential.

Although Wave is still available only through limited release, current users were given a small number of invitations to share. Leave a comment on this post to receive one of our ten invites – and we can ride the wave together.

Recently, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill extending the Shield Law, which protects journalists’ confidential sources in federal court. With  the exception of national security issues, the bill passed by a 14-5 vote will not only apply not only to information held directly by reporters, but also to information such as phone and e-mail records held by third-party service providers. With broad support from journalism organizations, the bill extends the definition of a “journalist” to include unconventional reporters like bloggers, freelancers and citizen journalists.

This raises an interesting question: How do you define today’s journalist?

I bet Benjamin Franklin didn’t see this one coming. When laying the ground rules of the First Amendment for freedom of the press, the definition of “the press” was (quite literally) black and white. With the media shift towards citizen journalism and the ever-increasing accessibility to technology, virtually anyone with an Internet connection could be considered part of the media. I think at one point most of us have posted a Twitpic, 140-character fact, status update or blog entry “with the intent to disseminate information to the public.” With the court’s current definition of a journalist, I think it would be more helpful to define who is NOT a member of this group.

The definition of a modern day journalist is a constantly moving target. How would you define it?

Photo: Steve Rhodes

The evidence for companies to establish a social media monitoring program keeps building up. The most recent is the latest study from England’s Institute of Customer Service, which shows that dissatisfied customers are turning to social networks to complain about companies – before complaining to the companies themselves.

Think about that for a moment. Customers aren’t even giving companies a chance to fix poor service before telling their Facebook friends, Twitter followers and blog readers about how their expectations weren’t met. The study even says that only a small minority of dissatisfied customers bother going to the offending organization at all.

Without a social media monitoring program in place, how is a company to know this situation even exists? Odds are, they won’t. And that presents a serious problem.

The study did have a bright side, though: Individuals who are vocal about their criticisms are also likely to share positive experiences. That means companies who are keeping an eye on their online presence have the opportunity to turn complainers into happy customers – right in front of their networks’ eyes.

Check out PR Cog’s response to his experience with the lack of one company’s social media monitoring, over on Sarah Evans’ blog.

So, what are you waiting for? If you have questions about monitoring programs, where to start, online tools, etc. – ask away in the comments!

A couple weeks ago, Amber Naslund (@ambercadabra) asked her followers what their favorite non-social media blogs were. So, I went to my Google Reader to see what I could come up with.

I couldn’t make a final decision after about 15 minutes, so I sent Amber Serious Eats (@seriouseats). It’s a blog I read religiously – even on weekends – so I figured it fit the bill. Looking back, however, I should have sent her a link to Dumb Little Man.

It’s hard to sum up what Dumb Little Man’s purpose is. Its tagline is “Tips for Life.” Its subject matter covers all manner of topics, from “How to say no to great opportunities,” to “How to use a colon.” Most helpful to me, however, are the articles about personal and professional development. These posts serve as an attitude check, often helping me take a step back from my busy days and look at the big picture.

Some of my recent favorites include “How to discover your life’s purpose – 7 questions to ask,” and “You’re not small, you’re just human (and so are the gurus)”.

Share some of your favorite blogs in the comments. I’m always looking for new stuff to read!

As PR professionals, we often equate media success with what stories we’re able to generate quickly. When a reporter tells us, “I’m working on something else, but this is interesting, so I’ll keep it on file” – that’s like saying, “It’s not you, it’s me.” We write it off as rejection.

Through the years, I’ve found that the “I’m going to file this” does pay off sometimes … it just takes awhile. Case in point: Two years ago, in December 2007, I sent a media resource bulletin about legal ramifications that companies should consider when planning holiday parties. I got the “we’ll keep this on file” response. Recently, the information was printed – you guessed – two years later. It’s still timely and factual, so it was used.

On another occasion, I pitched a story idea to a reporter who said she might use it that summer. My nerdy PR radar went off, and I sent myself an e-mail reminder to follow up with the reporter six months later. Sure enough, it worked.

It goes to show that PR and patience go hand-in-hand.

I would like to thank Stephen Baker at BusinessWeek for his article “Beware Social Media Snake Oil” and for saying what a lot of us in the profession have been thinking for some time. I am a big social media fan, but it sure sounds like all the “experts” are saying the same things: “Be transparent, engage with your customers, break down silos.”

Providing good counsel requires in-depth understanding of each individual client. One size does not fit all.

Because it’s the holidays – and I’m getting into the spirit of things – I’ve decided to deviate from the normal CDe blog content (of all things public relations and social media) and instead delve into more festive subject matter: holiday giving.

At Costa DeVault, we’ve always supported local nonprofits, and in doing so, we see the need in the community firsthand – and we’ve seen the need grow. In Florida, the unemployment rate is 11.2% and the poverty rate sits at 12.5%. As a result, many local nonprofits and community organizations need help now more than ever. They are serving more people with fewer resources.

This holiday season, I would like to challenge everyone to make a contribution. Large or small, it doesn’t matter. Volunteer to feed the homeless. Drop change into a Salvation Army kettle. Buy a toy to support a children’s program. Drop off a bag of cat food to the humane society. Small donations have the ability to make a HUGE difference in someone’s life.

As famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”

I’ve compiled a short list of nonprofits (some local to Central Florida, some national) below – and of course, there are many more than I’ve included here. If you don’t see your favorite charity, please add it in the comments!

Adult Literacy League

BETA Center

Boys and Girls Club

Coalition for the Homeless

A Gift for Teaching

Habitat for Humanity

The Salvation Army

Second Harvest Food Bank

Seniors First

SPCA of Central Florida

Happy Holidays (and happy giving)!