I recently had to have my old DirectTV remote controls replaced with the new RC73 ones. I'd had the old ones for more than 13 years and the lasers in them no longer functioned correctly. We only had one to share, for 4 TVs, which created all sorts of frustration for me. Every time I needed to change the channel, I had to go search four rooms, for the remote. UGGHH!
Anyway..the new RC73 ones, came with directions on how to program the remote itself, but not the volume. I had to figure it out, through a few days, of "trial and error". So, I decided to do a blog post, to save you some time, my friends.

What is periscope, you ask? Well, it is the newest live video platform, from Google Play, for your cell phone. It works in conjunction with your Twitter account, and let's you interact live, with your followers, and other Periscope users. It was unveiled in March of 2015. Below, is a blurb of the creator's vision, from Periscope's official page. 

So here's how it works:

1. Download the app from either iTunes or Google Play Store
2. Log in with Twitter account or your phone #
3. Create a username (if you want it to be different than your Twitter username)
4. Create a bio
   
5. Find some users to follow. Type in subjects that are of interest  to you and follow people who broadcast videos, pertaining to those interests.

You are now ready to broadcast live or watch other user's broadcasts. 

You can make your videos public or private. You can also save them after your broadcast is over and share them on other platforms. Saved videos are only available for viewing, for 24 hours. After that, they "expire."

Viewers are able to comment live as your video is being broadcast. They are also able to "like" them, by sending cute and colorful hearts.You, yourself cannot chat or comment with your keyboard, as you're broadcasting, but you can respond to comments, audibly. 

You are able to announce, that you are going live and share your video, with your Twitter followers, simply by clicking on the bird icon, on the right side of your screen, before you start your broadcast.

I've had the app for about a week, and I've done 2 broadcasts. The first one was, the live press conference, in regards to #SandraBland, and our day at Galveston beach, today. It was pretty cool to have viewers from Italy and Israel, be excited to see scenery in the US, especially Texas, as I was told in the comments. 

I expect, that in the future, I will be broadcasting some of my teaching, as well as, some the shenanigans of my everyday life. There are  many ways to use this easy and innovative platform. Many users have used it to broadcast live concerts, and a wide variety of tutorials, among other things. It's really up to you, how you want to use it. I expect this app to become the next preferred way of live video streaming. It is still fairly new, but once the word gets out, people will wonder, what took them so long to find it.

So, let's get right to it.


If you are a blogger, or if you post links, to social networks or web pages, regularly, please consider, using a URL shortener. 


Long links, to posts, sometimes tells others, who see them, that we're (you're) still in the dark ages. I am more likely, not to click on a link that is 500 characters long. It's just..annoying, mostly. My eyes are immediately deterred from it. I can't tell you why, but trust me, that's the sentiment, of millions of other people, too.  But have no fear, or shame about what "they," or "I" say. That's why I'm here, to help you. Help me, help you. 


There are several free ones available, as app downloads, for your mobile phone or PC. Being a blogger, I prefer "bit.ly". It's reputable, and millions of people use it, everyday. 

The only downside is, if you use Pinterest, you cannot pin anything containing a" url shortened link." Those are their rules! They are very concerned about, the possibility of spam, and spammers. As, they should be. They have good reason to be. They've been hacked quite a few times. Some pinner's, WHOLE BOARDS, were wiped out and replaced with spam links. Can you imagine? If I woke up and all my boards were gone (not to mention the spam links) I would cry. 

They are the exception, though. That doesn't have anything to do with the bit.ly app or service. They are one of the few services, we trust. You can trust it, and me. I wouldn't steer you wrong.


 On Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Instagram, no one wants to see, more than 15 characters, for a URL. And some of us are out there posting, 100's of unnecessary numbers, letters, and characters, in a link. No ma'am. No sir. I cannot allow my cyber friends to do that. Because, I care if, people "side-eye" you. :)

Mine is pinned to my task bar, and start menu, permanently. I keep it there for, ease of use. (Along with quite a few other pertinent ones, lol!) Try it out, and see if doesn't make a difference for you, too.

To shorten long URLs, you simply:

1.Copy the standard URL, by right-clicking and selecting copy, OR, holding down CTRL+C simultaneously.
2. Paste into bit.ly link shortener box, and click on "shorten"
3. The press copy, to copy, your newly shortened link. 
4. Then paste into whatever platform, blog, or text message you're sharing or sending. (Paste=CTRL+V or right click and select paste.)

I hope this helps. Be blessed and encouraged!

-Tasha