Technology: Tool or Distraction?

Behind all of the pixels, popping graphics, and usability of DotLoop lies a tool. Our website is to agents what a microscope is to a microbiologist or a level is to a contractor - a tool to help get the job done. Our tool just happens to use the power of the Internet to do its job.

So, it was with interest that we read about President Obama's keynote speech this Sunday at Hampton University when he seemingly chided the growth of technology as a diversion rather than a tool of empowerment.

I say seemingly, because, looking at the transcript of the speech itself, it seems all the hoop-la over his hypocrisy (he uses a Blackberry and an iPod, even though in the speech he joked he didn't know how to use them) only further highlights the exact thing he was talking about - a lot of information is out there, but very little context surrounds it.

As one who is online most of the day, I constantly see ill-informed articles designed to grab attention rather than educate the reader. Articles entitled "President Obama Bemoans Technology" may be great for garnering Google's attention, but it completely misses the point of the speech - that education, not just lot of information and cherry-picked quotes - is what we need. Every last detail of the attempted Times Square bomber has been laid out, but how many news outlets are reporting on the flooding in Nashville?

Information is power, but the real distraction is not the technology that provides the information, but a lack of context surrounding it. The out-of-context opinion pieces floundering around the Internet ironically prove the President's exact point - technology should be a tool to assist the citizenry, not a divisive distraction to amass more click-throughs or higher ratings.

At DotLoop, we understand this, which is exactly how we differ - we don't just store all of your transactions, we put the information in context, so that agents and clients can get a full picture of the negotiation, not just bits and pieces.

After all, DotLoop is a tool, not a distraction.

"I'm So Excited I Can Hardly Stand It!"

Last week, DotLoop visited beautiful Lexington, Kentucky to train the staff and agents of the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of REALTORS (LBAR).

Steve Peele II, one of our key trainers, talked with Ann McDonald from Coldwell Banker who gave us some great feedback on the training and DotLoop. Check it out.

Friday Farewell - Net Effect

With all of this talk about the FCC today, I thought I'd share an interesting interview to give you some more perspective on why net neutrality is so important to a free and functional Internet.

The interview below is from last month's Bill Moyers Journal from April 23rd with FCC commissioner Michael Copps where he explains how the Internet's openness came under attack to begin with.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Freedom's Just Another Word For...Net Neutrality

From one Julius to another, the Ides of March took an interesting turn this year when FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the new broadband initiative, which we discussed that week here on the DotLoop Blog.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the FCC extended its regulatory push to include broadband as well as traditional communications such as telephones and broadcast TV, within its jurisdiction. This is in response to a Federal Court of Appeals verdict who ruled in favor of Comcast last month in a case over net neutrality.

Here's what happened: in 2007, Comcast had limited access to the Internet to some of its customers. The FCC told the cable giant to stop it, but Comcast argued that the FCC had no business in dealing with broadband.

This was true; in 2002, the big cable and phone companies (At&T, Comcast, Verizon, etc.) successfully lobbied to change broadband from being under the umbrella of "telecommunications" to include it under the category of "information services." This seemingly minor category change meant that the telecommunications companies could effectively police and limit the Internet as they saw fit, which is exactly what Comcast did in 2007.

Net neutrality advocates (those who think the Internet should be open and fully democratic), derided last month's verdict in favor of Comcast. Even as late as this past Monday, it looked as if the FCC would not have the guts to take on the telecommunications giants who would be left as the gatekeepers of the Internet.

But all that changed Wednesday, thanks in large part to a huge swell of grassroots support coupled with a barrage of e-mails and phone calls to the FCC; their decision to keep net neutrality alive was a big win for the public.

So, what does this mean for you? Simple. It means that, for now, the Internet is still in the public domain; that no one company or groups of companies can limit access to it. It means a more open forum with universal access, and it means that once-small start-ups such as Facebook and Google can innovate and grow to change people's lives. It means that services like DotLoop can continue to grow and enhance without fear of being limited by cable or telephone companies.

Basically, it means more freedom to express yourself to the world.

A "Kin"dred Spirit For Agents?

Today's Wall Street Journal has an article on a fascinating new device coming out next week from Microsoft. It's called the Kin, a phone that doubles as a social media device. As I reviewed the details on the site (kin.com), I couldn't help but think of how useful this device could be for tech-savvy agents.

Imagine a client is meeting with you, but doesn't know the directions to the home. With the phone, you can easily take a picture of the house, search for directions on the web and send both to your client through the phone's "Loop".

Seems like a perfect phone for DotLoop users. Send your client a Loop through the phone's Loop and complete a negotiation without ever having to reach for a Bic pen or hunt for a fax machine.

I'm excited to see where this goes.

Making Some Noise in Illinois

It hasn't been quite a week since our last jaunt down to Nashville for the REBar Camp, and already, DotLoop is dusting off its GPS system for a trip to Illinois for the IAR Spring Conference & Expo May 5th and 6th.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS® is the leading private property advocate in Illinois and the recognized voice for real estate with over 50,000 members and 9,500 brokerages, so we're excited to bring the DotLoop Solution to the Prairie State.

Speaking of Illinois, DotLoop, as an Affiliate Member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, will be in Chicago from May 10th through June 4th to give personal, one-on-one informational sessions on the DotLoop System. If you or your brokerage is interested in a twenty minute session, please contact us to schedule an appointment at 1-888-DOT-LOOP or e-mail us at support@dotloop.com.

DotLoop "Culls" the Best

On Friday, DotLoop proudly announced its first expansion with its New York office.

Heading that office is long-time real estate vet Jim Cull, a native New Yorker with an impressive track record not only with real estate, but with technology as well.

"In my 32 years in the industry," Jim says, "I've seen four major technologies that, when implemented, were able to change the way business was conducted: electronic MLS, fax machines, mobile phones, and the Internet. I believe that paperless transactions will be the fifth technology."

Jim brings an impressive and esteemed resume to the DotLoop team, not to mention a wicked sense of humor.

So, Jim, on behalf of the DotLoop team, let me welcome you to the DotLoop family. We're excited to have you aboard and are looking forward to bringing the paperless solution to New York.