Activerain Week in Review 9/23/07-9/30/007

A Week of Change!

When Neal asked me to write the Week in Review this week, my intial reaction was, Who, me?  I don't think either of us knew what kind of week this would be. In light of the many changes which happened this week, the theme is appropriately "about change'.

Change is the law of life. And those who only look to the past or present are certain to miss the future. John F. Kennedy

The beginning of change occured earlier in the week when Caleb announced he was leaving Active Rain to pursue other ventures in a post entitled, Onward.  I have to admit here, I do not know the founders of AR at all, so to write about them seems unfair. The many who do know Caleb have shared their thoughts in a way all of us feel like we know him and wish him well.

Fare Thee Well Caleb...This Toast Is For You...ROAR!  by TLW

This is Caleb.........Calebs Review -The Collectors addition now available on DVD by Neal Bloom

Bye Caleb - Live Well, Keep Laughing and Visit Often  by Cyndee Haydon

Have Fun Caleb by Rick and Ines

The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.

Henry David Thoreau

Many here have spent a great deal of our life and time at AR, exchanging these valuable assets for friends, relationships, Google Juice, education and networking opportunities. Oh yes, and points! The cost has been worth the effort when you consider the benefit gained. Now, with the talk of the potential sale of AR and litigation, many have commented and lamented about what is to become of their work. It wasn't just work, it was time, a huge part of our lives. Was it worth it? Is is still?

Others have written their views and you will find enough links here to read both sides of the arguments and fears to make your own determination.

Personally, what I have gained here, no one can take away. It was a fair exchange! Actually I got the bargain!

Robbing Active Rain by Brian Brady

The Power ($) of AR (our) WORDS.... by Jessica Horton

The Elephant in the Rain by Jonathan Washburn

Who owns the content on ActiveRain? by Matt Heaton

The WORST buyer for ActiveRain by Maureen McCabe

Let's Face it Folks, It is time to PAY Activerain by Maureen Francis

Then there is a beautifully written post by JoAnne Smith, Don't Run Away Without Me (or At Least Tell Me Where to Find You). , where she exclaims;

I guess no matter what happens with Active Rain, I will always find my friends again and even if we all had to run away, we would eventually meet up again in a new place where we could share the heartaches and the joys of our day to day business and personal lives.

We know what we are, but know not what we may be. William Shakespear

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, the Active Rain membership reached 50,000. What is it which attracts 50,000 members to Active Rain and keeps them coming back for more? What is it about this network which has made addicts out of many of the members? I can't speak for everyone, and can only tell you I have learned more in this network of professionals about real estate than many classes I took.

Ooops! I have already used up my recommended 15 posts, but what the heck, It is my Week in Review so here are the posts which inspired, educated, informed and made me laugh this week. These are but a few examples of the many reasons we love Active Rain.

On Blogging~

 Why Real Estate Blogging Makes You A Better Realtor - Part 3 of 3 by Real Estate Tomato

 Your Blog in the REAL World by Brad Andersohn

 The Emotional Payoffs of Blogging  by Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman

 5 Questions to Ask Your Blog BEFORE it Comes Around to Bite You! by Lola Audu

Success Tips~

Craig's List Real Estate Ads with a new twist by George Tallabas

Jakes Sells a House... or two by Jennifer Allan

Real Estate Branding - Rick and Ines Style....Part III  by Rick and Ines

Do you have Boundaries?? Tell the truth.... by Desiree Daniels

Risk Management~ 

What's in YOUR CMA? Mandatory Guidelines for Creating a CMA ... by Mariana Wagner

Are You Currently Working With A Realtor?" Oopsie I Forgot to Ask? by Midori Miller

Is Driving While Using a Cell Phone as Dangerous as Driving Drunk? Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" Answers the Question by Rosario Lewis

Techie Instruction ~

How to FTP Files - A Google Presentation Addendum by Jeff Turner                

Formatting a Table in Your Blog Post by Mana Tulberg

Click Here, Please by Jeff Dowler

A Blogger's First Post~

All In the Family: A Reality, a Responsibility, an Opportunity by Eric Everett

These don't fit into a specific category - but are noteworthy. I loved Bill's story......and hope it does not come to pass.

Modern Day Robin Hood Strikes--Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 by Bill Nazur

Don't miss Lenn's response to Jim Cramer - they should have sent Lenn to represent NAR!

JIM CRAMER, REAL ESTATE, THE STOCK MARKET, and SOME PERSPECTIVE by Lenn Harley

And last, but not least - I have truly enjoyed Teresa'a new series, which is yet, untitled. Be sure to read the past installments.

Paint by Teresa Boardman

On that note, I will end the "Week in Review" by painting it with pictures of the changes Mother Nature is bringing to the landscape of cities around the nation.

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into it's winter wools.

Henry Beston

Week In Review Group