Social media, mobile tagging and more: As a reader of Process Heating, you may want to use interactive media to connect with the magazine -- and you can, in several ways.

Likely, you have heard of social media web sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and Classmates. Though the intended (and actual) audiences for each vary, all exist as a means of connecting with the people and things that make you “you.” For instance, love a certain brand of potato chips? Become a fan on Facebook, tweet about it on Twitter, and connect to the CEO (if he’ll have you) in LinkedIn.

As a reader ofProcess Heating, you also may want to connect with the magazine -- and you can, in several ways.

We're introducingMicrosoft’s Mobile Tags to connect our print pages -- yes, the paper and ink pages -- directly to our web site, suppliers' sites, videos and more. Want to try it? The reader works on most current smart phones, including Windows Mobile (5.5 and above), iPhone, Blackberry, Symbian and J2ME. Also, you’ll need to download and install the application on your smart phone. Find it athttp://gettag.mobi-- and you'll only need to do this once.

Once you have the app on your phone, turn to our Contents page and look for the colorful tag that look sort of like a bar code -- or simply use the one loaded on this page. Press "scan" in the app and direct your phone's camera lens at the tag so it shows on your phone's display. Voila! Your phone’s browser will take you toProcess Heating’s web site. A growing number of businesses are using the tags to connect printed material with online resources such as web sites, videos and surveys. Once you have the app, look around, and you may begin to notice the colorful tags in many places, such as billboards, menus and more. Any company can use the tags, so consider how it might help your company as well.

Become a fan ofProcess HeatingonFacebook by visitingwww.facebook.com/ProcessHeating. While there, feel free to add me as a friend as well by visitingwww.facebook.com/editorlbecker. Both the magazine page and my profile are updated regularly with news, links, related stories and other items, so there’s always something different to read about.

If you prefer your social media in more digestible bites, there’s alsoTwitter. JoinProcess Heating’s growing number of followers and read my tweets about topics such as industry news, innovative products or free webinars. If you use Twitter, tweet me any time at @ProcessHeating. If you don’t, simply visittwitter.com/ProcessHeatingto view my most recent tweets.

For those of you that areLinkedInfans, never fear! You can connect withProcess Heatingthere. Join our group,Process Heating Network, and you can participate in discussions with like-minded industrial heating professionals, post a job or search for one, view postings from other members and find other content as well.

So, wherever you want to connect withProcess Heating, we're working hard to bring you valuable information there. Let us know how we're doing.

Linda Becker, Associate Publisher and Editor, BeckerL@bnpmedia.com

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