If you don’t know about Squidoo, you don’t know what you’re missing. 

What is Squidoo? Another brain child of Seth Godin, Squidoo is a community of single-page websites (each called a “lens”) built with passion and creativity by people like you and me – about the topics of our choice.

Squidoo is like a virtual erector set in that you are supplied all the building parts and limited only by your imagination – except, with Squidoo, anyone in the world can potentially see your creation when it is finished. And also, with Squidoo, your final product is auto-adorned with Internet ads.

Yes, that’s right. Squidoo cleverly combines the compassion of community and the passion of people with the business of advertising.  Upon completion, your lens is auto-populated with relevant Google ads. You can also choose to display items for sale from Amazon, CafePress, etc. And if someone buys an item via your lens, you generate a portion of the proceeds – for yourself, charity or a combination of both.

The best part? Creating a lens is so easy that my mother could do it (actually, to be fair, my mother is pretty tech savvy – but you know what I mean).

I have to admit…after creating my first lens (the operative word being “first”) about identity theft, I am completely hooked by Squidoo’s far-reaching, yet benevolent, tentacles. It’s no wonder – the Squidoo community’s vibrant and sunny disposition makes it difficult not to keep returning. And each visit provides a purely painless and pleasant user experience (how rare is that?!).

Folks, do not delay. Build your lens today. Squidoo is an effervescent experience that Squi-don’t want to miss!

P.S. Don’t forget to stop by my new Squidoo lens: Protecting Your Identity: Start with the Basics. I welcome your feedback and suggestions! 

Happy New Year!

As I wind down the clock on 2007, I am thinking about how, today, I am joining millions of people in the annual ritual of determining New Year’s resolutions – all in the name of self improvement. More exercise, better nutrition, etc. etc. Achieve work/life balance, focus on priorities, get more organized…the usual.

This year I am trading in all the “usual” resolutions for one: Work harder to protect my personal information and prevent identity theft.

In 2008, personal information will become yet even more valuable to etailers, educators, and employers…phishers, foes, and favorite civic / religious groups…non-profits, new (and traditional)  media, and national agencies…political parties, personal hygiene proprietors and personal ad web sites.

Unfortunately, the increased value on personal information also leads to more requests for that information, which leads to increased exposure, which ultimately makes us more vulnerable to identity theft.  

I hope you, too, will resolve to protect your identity just like you would protect any other valuable possession (Identity theft can now be included in your home insurance policy!).

Such a resolution would go a long way toward making everything great in ‘08!

Special note: Through the years, I have discovered that my most successful New Year’s resolution lists were those that included goals relating to F-U-N.  And, at the end of the day, the addition of FUN goals only added more value to the personal identity.