Author Archives: debmcalister

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About debmcalister

I'm a Dallas-based marketing consultant and writer, who specializes in helping start-up technology companies grow. I write (books, articles, and blogs) about marketing, technology, and social media. This blog is about all of those -- and the funny ways in which they interesect with everyday life. It's also the place where I publish general articles on topics that interest me -- including commentary about the acting and film communities, since I have both a son and grandson who are performers.

The Second Wife’s Guide to Estate Planning

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I have been to two family funerals in as many weeks, and after each one, I was reminded once again how few of us actually leave our affairs in order when we go. This is especially true for today’s modern, … Continue reading

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Can a Company Require Customers to “Like” It on Facebook to Qualify for a Product Warranty?

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Sandy Berger, a correspondent for the syndicated Computer America radio program, reviewed a new version of the KUBE MP3 players after this year’s CES show. Today, she posted this on her Facebook page.  “BTW, the new KUBE that I just … Continue reading

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How to Help Your Kid Win a Science Fair

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I probably should have called this post “How to help your child win a science fair without doing the work for him/her or going broke in the process.” But that wouldn’t fit in the headline. My husband, retired science teacher Fred … Continue reading

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Ready or Not: Here Comes the Six Strikes Rule

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Torrentfreak this week confirmed what I’ve been saying for a year or so: it’s about to get a lot harder to find a free public WiFi connection. After dancing around the details for over a year, the Center for Copyright … Continue reading

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The Magic of Social Media

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I love magic. Whether it’s the fantasy worlds of my favorite writers or the stage magic of great magicians or little boys practicing the tricks that came in their Christmas stockings, I just love magic. Recently, my favorite magicians have … Continue reading

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Tell Me, Where’s the Sanity in the Gun Debate?

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This isn’t a political blog, and I’m not about to change that. But lately, I’ve gotten tired of how some people are all up in arms (pun intended) about guns. I’m a 7th generation Texan. I grew up around guns, … Continue reading

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Court Says Online Reviewer Can Have Her Say – For Now

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One of the first blog posts I wrote on this blog, on April 7, 2011, was titled Online Review Lawsuits: Sometimes the Truth Isn’t Enough. Written for anyone who has thought about writing a review of a business, the post … Continue reading

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My Christmas Circus: Cirque Banquiste!

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I know that a lot of women feel as if they have a circus in town this week, as families gather from far and wide for the holiday.  But this year, our family is very excited to have a real … Continue reading

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Branding Rituals that Transcend Marketing


Last night, I thoroughly enjoyed a branding ritual that my family has been celebrating for years. I met up with a large group of family members and took in the midnight showing of “The Hobbit”, after a multi-generational meal at one … Continue reading

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