[JR: I preempted the regularly scheduled ENDNOTE for this RANT about something that just happened today. Maybe time will make this just dumb. But, like the kitten sleeping by the rocking chair, my "tail" just got rocked on.]
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REPORTING LIVE FROM THE LINKEDIN NEWS DESK IN THE VIRTUAL JASPER JOTTINGS NEWSROOM …
[JR: There are ten "MC Alum" groups on LinkedIn in various stages of abandonment or in minimal use. There has been of late a few messages about "condensation". Which I suggested privately to the group owners eons ago. Recently, @MarjorieApel, the MC "jobs" lady, commented. Normally, I'd butt out. But, having had to listen to too many whines and rants from Alums over the years about getting "screwed" in this MC offering or that — as if I was doing it — I couldn't contain my frustration.]
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Marjorie Apel • Manhattan College is in the process of redesigning its website with one LinkedIn page for MC and subgroups. When that all gets in place, the word will go out and this should all be simplified. In the meantime, stick with us for information, job listings and discussions.
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[JR: You have to be ... kidding me. MC is rebranding. Great. But now, "they" are going to come over the hill, take everything over, and "save" us poor befuddled Alumni? Sorry, been there, done that, have the T-shirt, and the scars from it. Because of Jasper Jottings and a willingness to listen, every time MC drops the Alums in the ... <synonym for excrement> ... I have helped my fellow alums salvage what they can. Is MC going to "take over" all the LinkedIn groups? Does this portend some type of heavy handedness? I hope not. Then you'll see a real war break out.]
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@MarjorieApel: Dearest Marge, I love the work you do for the students and alums, but you have to be kidding. MC is late to the social media party, is at best a dilettante in relating to the Alumni, and will flitter off to do something else when the mood suits someone in the administration. The “road” is littered with promises made to the Alumni which were broken, discarded, and conveniently forgotten when it suited MC. Little Orphan Annie’s comrades were better treated. As I’ve discussed with various folks at MC on numerous occasions, MC has to earn it’s way back into the conversation. I don’t see how they are doing that. And, as such, I’d say it’s very nice that MC is doing “something”. But Alums have been taught by so many failed initiatives, to continue to do their own thing. “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — attributed to Einstein … Looking to MC for anything is repetition. Even if 10 “Manhattan College Alumni LinkedIn Groups” is inefficient, I’d keep them over ANYTHING from MC. At least, I know there are 10 fellow alums who are trying to provide something. And, as bad as they do it, at least, I know they tried their best. MC’s totally undependable. imho. Sorry to say.
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[JR: MC is NOT the Alums best friend. At best, they are inconsistently incompetent. At worst, they are an absolute hindrance. They ignore the first rule of networking: "First seek to help and then be helped." The Alums have been abused. And like a battered spouse, history is forecast. imho!]
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[JR: Here's some inside baseball. Green book; disaster. MCOLDB; alums spent effort updating to have it taken off-line with ZERO notice. Eternal ids, disaster; one alum was using it for his new biz; no notice, gone. I spent a week cajoling a redirect out of my comrades on the IT staff. At the time, it wasn't easy to do. And, secretly too. They jury rigged something that passed the mail, but we all had to promise not to mention it lest they take flak. And, we should trust any MC offering? Anyone can do what they want, but no thanks. I continue to advise anyone who will listen that they need their own domain and their own stuff. It's cheaper and more reliable in the long run. Maybe I came down on a lovely dedicated MC lady too hard. But I am tired of the results when the circus parade leaves town. Maybe the next generation will be an easier sell. Argh to argh power. Patience level = x, as a limit function with x approaching zero. Does anyone get the idea that I have a raw nerve where this is concerned. Sorry.]
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