Hi! I'm HighTechDad

My name is Michael Sheehan, otherwise known throughout the inter-webs as HighTechDad™ (just do a Google search to see my reach). I have been writing about technology for many years, providing product reviews of hardware and software, as well as creating fix-its, how-to’s, and other tips and tricks articles and videos. I have been an ambassador and influencer for many brands as well. I’m an avid social media pundit and somewhat “understand” parenting (I have three daughters in their 20’s). Technology, gadgets, gizmos, hardware, software, and anything geeky are what I’m passionate about.

Listen instead of read!

Don’t want to read? I gave Google NotebookLM my About page content and it generated this AI “podcast” – honestly, while terrifying, I found it quite engaging and reflects much of the content below!

Michael Sheehan 2023

About Michael Sheehan & HighTechDad

I am currently a Strategist of Digital, Content, and Customer Marketing at AppDynamics, which is part of Cisco. Previously at AppDynamics, I was a Senior Manager of Partner Marketing Strategy. I also do consult with various start-ups and companies in stealth mode on digital and content marketing strategies as well as design and manage 3rd-party WordPress sites. I previously worked at Riverbed as a Senior Manager of Content Marketing within the Solutions Marketing group. Before that, I was at HP as a Senior eCommerce Content Marketing Manager, where I developed and implemented lifestyle content strategies. Prior to that, I was at Intel Corporation as a Brand Journalist and Social Media Strategist.

Original works

The postings on HighTechDad.com, as well as on my social channels, are my own and don’t necessarily represent any other company’s positions, strategies, or opinions. I hold a high standard for transparency and disclosure and take a journalistic approach to all of my work.

NOTE: I do NOT accept third-party articles nor guest posts. Also, I will NOT edit an existing article to include your links.

There is just one person who conceptualizes, creates, maintains, and produces all of the content on HighTechDad.

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HighTechDad is not a superhero, but definitely has an origin story!

origin story

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Background

I currently work as a Strategist of Digital, Content, and Customer Marketing at AppDynamics, which is part of Cisco. Previously at AppDynamics, I was a Senior Manager of Partner Marketing Strategy. Before Cisco AppDynamics, I worked at Riverbed as a Senior Manager of Content Marketing within the Solutions Marketing group. Before that, I worked at HP Inc. as a Senior eCommerce Content Marketing Manager, developing various lifestyle content strategies for the HP shopping experience.

Prior to that, I was at Intel as a Brand Journalist for Intel Free Press, where I investigated, interviewed, and wrote articles about technology and people in and around Intel. The target audience was technology journalists, and the content that I produced was designed to be used freely without attribution by that audience. You can read my explanation of what Brand Journalism is if you are curious. I was also a Social Media Strategist for the Global Public Relations group.

For over five years, I was the Technology Evangelist for GoGrid, a Cloud Computing Infrastructure Provider. (What is a Technology Evangelist? Read my explanation!) I created GoGrid’s blogging and social media presences (achieving a Klout score of 78 in July 2013 – Klout is no longer in existence unfortunately) and launched and positioned GoGrid within the Cloud Community through the use of Social Media, Social Marketing, Public and Press Relations, and corporate blogging — evangelizing the significant and growing benefits of outsourced server infrastructure in the cloud. I have well over 15 years of Product, Account, and Engineering Management experience, as well as a passion for all types of technologies.

I desire to bridge the gap between the technical and marketing aspects of various products and services, but doing so in a way that is understandable by most, informative, and unique. Also, I write all of the product reviews that you see on HighTechDad.com from the perspective of a parent – how well does it integrate into a family environment, how easy is it for children to use, how does the price point match against an “average” family, and once and a while, I even include my children in a review!

I received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literatures from Occidental College in Los Angeles as well as a Marketing Certification at U.C. Berkeley Extension in San Francisco. After college, I lived in Madrid, Spain for two years as I made my best efforts to avoid getting sucked into the workforce. In Madrid, I taught English to business executives and government officials.

My technology expertise is entirely self-taught, and I try to provide regular critical analysis of technology trends. You can read more about my Work Experience in my LinkedIn profile.

The “Birth of HighTechDad”

This blog was conceptualized long before blogging became as popular as it is now. I had the desire to create a way to provide helpful insight to people, and my first thought was writing a How-To book. The problem was, writing a book takes time and was slow (it did not reflect the speed of technology).

So, when my girls where quite young (and when blogging started to become more prevalent), I jumped in feet first – my first post was on November 3rd, 2005. At that time, there were sites about parenting and sites about technology. But back in 2005, I discovered an untapped niche, one which analyzed the intersection of these two subjects. Thus, my tagline, where technology and fatherhood collide, was born (as my fourth child).

The rest is history.

Why HighTechDad is my Passion

2013 Interview

This is an interview I gave to StartUp TV back in 2013. In it, you can learn about my background and about how HighTechDad started as well as some advice to others looking to start up a blog, site, or company.

Keeping on the cutting edge of technology takes a lot of time. I’m lucky that I do have a following, and many PR firms and companies now regularly contact me to get their products reviewed. My wife calls technology “the other woman,” which should make it clear how passionate I am about it. This blog is, however, just a hobby, but it continues at a very healthy rate.

Highlights & Quick Stats

These hightlights were last updated in December 2019

The "Fine Print"

legal stuff

Yeah, you probably should look through the 3 tabs below. 

Product Sample Return Policy

Apart from the tiny amount of advertising revenue I receive from this blog (as well as an occasional sponsorship), I receive no financial compensation for these articles. I do this solely because of my fascination with technology…which verges on addiction. To that end, my policy is that any samples that are sent to me, remain in my possession. There are extreme cases where I make an exception to this policy, but for the most part, this levels the playing field for everyone.

It takes time to write an intelligent and unique review. I spend, on average, a few hours writing it, plus the time it takes to take product shots, do videos, and evaluate and test the product itself. Finding time to do this is difficult, so the compensation I receive is frequently only in the form of keeping the product. The result is a carefully crafted review that is helpful to my audience but also the brand. I will be completely honest in my reviews: where there are positives, there will also be negatives.

Therefore:

  • I will provide an honest review across the board
  • I will write about both positives and negatives about your hardware or software or website or service
  • If the sample must be returned (I don’t typically do this), please ensure that there is ample time for me to review it AND provide return shipping
  • I will disclose in my review that I received the product/service for free, as a sample or as a “thank you for taking time to review and write” (this was implemented in July 2009)
  • I will NOT take monetary payment for posting a review (unless as part of a sponsorship program and this is fully disclosed)
  • I will NOT insert text or links into a previous review, advertising your product or site, for money – send me a sample, and I will review it
  • I will do my best to provide a timely review (especially with new product launches); however, some reviews may be queued for later release or until the product is fully reviewed

Affiliates

I periodically run Amazon or other affiliate links within some of my reviews on HighTechDad.com. Typically, I mention the current price of the hardware or software and provide a link directly to the product as listed on Amazon or similar sites. If you click on those links (which I would appreciate that you do) and order a product, I receive a tiny bit of compensation (2-4% of the purchase price). Regardless of whether you click through my Amazon affiliate links or go directly to Amazon or purchase through another site advertised on my blog, the price you pay is the same. The only difference is, if you go straight to Amazon and don’t use any of my provided links, I don’t receive any commission. In addition to the Amazon Affiliate program, I run other affiliate links and sponsorships to help offset some of the expenses associated with running this site.

Advertising

Similarly, I run advertising through Amazon, Google, and other companies where I receive some advertising revenue (it is much smaller than you would think). I will NOT, however, run direct text link advertising. However, if you are interested in running a banner ad, that I CAN do, so please contact me. Please support my efforts by making purchases through affiliate links as well as clicking on some of the advertising you see on this site.

Sponsorships

If you are a large brand that is interested in sponsoring my site for an extended period of time, please contact me! I write sponsored articles of 1000+ words. These start at $750. See the list of international brands I have worked with.

Disclosures

As with all of my posts, I need to make a disclosure to ensure that I follow the important FTC guidelines and associated codes of ethics. I frequently receive products, services, compensation, and travel that are covered by companies and/or agencies. Once the FTC published their guidelines in July 2009, I have fully complied, and all of my articles after that date now include a Disclosure within the post (posts before this date, do not). However, as stated previously, this compensation in no way affects how I write my content or reviews. That being said and for true transparency:

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines, I am disclosing various corporations, companies, agencies, and individuals may have provided me with free samples, products, services, travel, or other expenses or compensation in order for me to complete my reviews or write articles about a particular subject.

Intel: I am disclosing that I was an Intel Advisor (a program run by Intel Corporation) in the past. I was compensated in the past for my participation in this program.  However, the content and thoughts shared about Intel are my own. The postings and articles on this site (www.HighTechDad.com) and my other social and blogging presences (e.g., social media and content sites) are my own and don’t necessarily represent Intel’s positions, strategies, or opinions.

Whew! You made it!

Wow! I’m impressed you made it all the way to the end! I hope you enjoy HighTechDad.com and find the information therein valuable! Please drop me a note if you have any questions.

Contact me!