Social Networking and Other Such Shenanigans

What does your underwear have in common with your internet?

2008-04-25T21:13:00.009-04:00

THIS JUST IN: Things change!

Now, I haven't researched this theory thoroughly, but I am prepared to stand by it. Over time, everything changes. Four years ago I was entering college for the first time, now I am less than two weeks away from leaving the educational system forever. People change, relationships change, the colors of leaves change, underwear changes (so we hope), yes the point is things change, and so will the internet.

Picture: my own

Although I may be considered part of the internet generation, it wasn't all that long ago that I too was living without the internet. I remember when there was Dial Up and when AOL told me "You've Got Mail" everyday, and you would have to wait to hear that for ten solid minutes while the internet connected. Ah yes those were the days. So much about the internet has changed since then, even things as simple as how quickly we can access it.

There are changes to the internet that I could never foresee back when AIM was the only way to chat with friends. And I am fairly certain, that there are still changes coming that I cannot predict now. I'm sure social networks and user generated content will become as ubiquitous as air (as mentioned in my last post), I'm sure we will be connected to the internet everywhere we go, and I'm sure there are many other changes yet to come.

All this evolution seems to happen naturally though, the internet responds to the changing needs of the consumers, and though it may seem like a shock at the time, eventually all the changes sort of just lump together seamlessly until we don't even notice it anymore. Just like someday soon the fact that I will no longer be a "student" will somehow be normal too.

I can't breathe without my social network

2008-04-19T21:06:00.004-04:00

picture from http://www.grooveking.com/

So what's next? Did we really expect that this was the end all, be all of social networks? Every new technology continues to evolve to the point where we look back at our brick like cell phones of the early 90's and think, "i wouldn't be caught dead carrying that now." The same holds true for social networks, someday we are going to look back and laugh at it's primitive nature back in the good old days of 2008.

According to this article, Charlene Li believes that social networks will become as ubiquitous as air. Li writes that there will be four components to the social network development: 1) Universal Identities, 2) A single social graph, 3) Social context for activities, and 4) Social influence defining marketing value.

So instead of having profiles all over the web (on our flickr accounts and on our facebook accounts and everywhere in between) we will have one identity that we can manage from one place. Instead of incomplete social networks, our friends and acquaintances will be tracked and added to our network. And so forth with the technological advances.

I think it's true that it's only a matter of time and technology before social networks become just another part of the internet that we hardly think twice about, like googling. We can no longer sit back and pretend that social networks are just the toys of the global youth, social networks will soon be the means to and/or the control of our every connection.

Mobilizing the world

2008-04-14T15:13:00.006-04:00

Image from http://www.textually.org

Across the world, mobile phones are much more than a way for Mom and Dad to check in. In India for example, mobile phones are helping to improve their socio-economic situation.

This article in IndiaPRWire, is written about the benefits that mobile phones can bring to rural areas in India. The article argues that mobile phones have the ability to connect Indian citizens in ways that can vastly improve everything from transportation to financing to education.

Mobile phones give people the opportunity to connect to other people and " bridge the growing economic and social digital divide between rural and urban areas," according to the article. If people from different areas can contact each other they can improve their efficiency and productivity. Mobile phones offer people the tool to change their economy.

In the same way, the internet can have this effect on various places throughout the world. Like mobile phones, the internet can connect people and help to increase productivity. Of course, neither the internet or mobile phones are perfect, nor are they the solution, but they are certainly a worthy means to that solution.

A Path to Social Change

2008-04-06T21:59:00.005-04:00

In today's world the internet has become a much needed tool for social change. The internet can be used as a way to connect people, organizations, and countries. The internet can help to bring resources to those in need. The internet isn't the solution though, it is the means to a solution.

Picture from http://images.jupiterimages.com

This report from the Social Science Research Council points out four main uses for the internet within civil societies. These being collaboration, publication, observation, and mobilization (you know...all the ations). However, not all organizations are using the internet to their benefit in this way, especially because of some issues like inequity, lack of trust, and difficulties with sustainability.

It is important that organizations learn how to use the internet though as a tool for achieving their goals. If organizations are able to collaborate in an open forum and engage in mutual exchanges, there would be a lot to gain. This may sound a bit like a hippie revolution, but really it's more of a virtual hippie movement... peace, love, and universal internet- here we come!

The Resume of the Future

2008-03-29T11:22:00.004-04:00

The internet, and all of the content about us on there, is quickly becoming the resume of the future, whether or not you want it to be.

I read this blog about how the blog is the new resume. The author writes that a blog represents you, and more and more employers are logging on to the internet to find out more information about you. He writes that a blog can sway a person's opinion of you and that while the information doesn't need to portray you as perfect, it should be honest.

However, I am weary about settling for just honest when it comes to our new online resume, whether it is a personal blog or our myspace page or what have it. People who check you out online aren't going to sit there and analyze what pictures or posts mean, they are going to make a snap judgment most likely. Therefore, I believe it is professionally dangerous to display yourself as anything less than the exact image you want employers to see.

The point is that everything you put out on the internet could be potentially used as an addition to the resume you send HR. This is not all bad, you can use your blog to demonstrate your excellent writing skills and witty nature (like I do here), or you can use your linkedin page to show your additional talents and experience that didn't quite make the one page resume cut.

If you happen to be one of those blog-challenged types, here's a how to guide from youtube. Resumes of the future... here we come!

The Hoi Polloi vs. The Professional

2008-03-25T00:22:00.003-04:00

Can a group of undefined, untrained people together equal the skill of one trained professional? This is one of the important questions we must ask when newspapers begin considering "crowdsourcing" their information.

picture from http://iplot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/crowd_2.jpg

According to this article on wired.com, Gannett (publisher of 90 US newspapers) will implement crowdsourcing as part of an overall restructuring of their newspapers by May. Crowdsourcing depends on the general population to gather information instead of a trained professional. The method is said to cut costs and to create more invested readers.

While I think that newspapers need to do some restructuring in order to keep up with the changing industry... changing of course to be more online-friendly... I am not convinced that crowdsourcing can be a consistent or trustworthy method of news gathering.

Since the general public is not trained to perform this task, they may not know how to and they may not always be truthful. In some situations, it may be useful to have the public help research a story, but crowdsourcing loses value when it becomes a permanent method for all news stories. Newspapers will need to spend a significant amount of time checking facts and confirming details. This seems redundant when they have trained reporters who can do this the first time around.

I am pro user-generated content, but in a forum designed for such content, like this blog for instance. Newspapers and reporters, on the other hand, are designed to deliver the truth and that's exactly how it should stay... on paper or online.

Who is in your crew?

2008-03-16T12:07:00.006-04:00

picture from http://www.aolcdn.com/aolr/oceans-13-400a320.jpg

A good crew is as essential to a business as it is to a casino heist. The success of your project depends on the people you have on it. And of course as the saying goes, you're only as strong as your weakest member.

According to this blog at Mind of a Hustler, every good crew must have a few essential players: The Leader, The Brain, The Anchor, and The Soldier (and any other necessary freelancers you must pick up along the way). In my crew, I am obviously the leader, the brains, and the pretty one ... oops that wasn't an option.

So what exactly defines these crew members? Well the leader comes up with the whole idea and picks the other people. The brains is all about the strategy and details. The anchor is the one questioning the dubious nature of the plan and preparing for problems, and the soldier is the person behind the action and physical execution. Freelancers would make up for special tasks that you may need, like a code breaker.

What is great about the internet is that now you can access the best crews possible across the world virtually. You can use social networks like Linkedin to find people with the skills and experience you want on your crew. And hey, if they are all the way around the globe... you can always meet in Secondlife! Thanks to the internet, establishing a good crew has never been easier.

Networking...of the job variety

2008-03-02T13:18:00.005-05:00

In case you had not heard yet, 7 out of 10 jobs are landed through networking (according to this article in Boston.com). It isn't that hard to believe when you think of it... we always trust people more than paper, and in this situation our friends and fellow employees are more trustworthy than a random resume.

So if you do care a tiny bit about getting a job, or if your parents care enough for both of you, well then it is time to start Networking! The article in Boston.com gives some helpful steps:

Step 1 – Define yourself and what you’re looking for
Step 2 – Define your initial network (friends, family, etc.)
Step 3 - Start in your comfort zone (the people you are closest to)
Step 4 - Expand your network beyond campus
Step 5 - Keep track and keep in touch (thank you notes are always a plus)

The point of networking is to think outside of the box. You may find connections to jobs from people you never thought you would. This is especially important given the current slow economy. Take advantage of all your opportunities.

http://jayderagon.com

Our generation is so used to using the computer that it seems a little scary to get out there and *gasp* speak to people, but whether we are ready or not... networking is the key to securing a job.

Forewarning: Terms like LOL, TTYL, and thanx won't fly in business networking. Remember to always act professional!

P.D.I. (Public Display of Interneting)

2008-02-23T17:26:00.003-05:00

So let's say I am at a party and across the room are two happy kids who I am sure have been dating for years and didn't at all just get together that night under the pretenses of alcohol.. but anyways back to the party... so these two kids are making out in the middle of the room. Do I watch? Heck yes I do! And why? Because my theory is that what is done in public is my right to see.

Using that same theory then, what is done over the internet is there for the public right? Well not always. The internet can be another way of communicating amongst friends, and just because someone has a scandalous picture or two doesn't mean they would be a bad employee or anything else.

This blog on switched.com references being able to put up a sort of "do not trespass sign" warning employers that certain things are meant to be private. I think this is a good idea. There are places on the internet that are meant for everybody, and there are places that are just meant for good fun, and shouldn't be subjected to the cross-room party hook up judgment of people like me.

2008-02-16T18:04:00.005-05:00

Get job training, and never even go to work? Sign me up! No it is not your fantasy of getting paid to do nothing, it is one of the many practical uses for the online program, Second Life.

According to this article in fastcompany.com, IBM has been using Second Life as a means for training new employees as well as bringing them together with other employees across the world.

In the United States, we're using Second Life to create a mentoring community. So if you're interested in talking to somebody who has 25 years in the business, we've built a connection environment--a social-networking tool where you profile yourself, then meet in Second Life.
~Chuck Hamilton. Director, Center for Advanced Learning, IBM

I think this is one of those good parts of the internet, you know using it for good, not evil. Using Second Life this way is an amazing opportunity for people around the world to not only meet each other, but also to grow and learn from each other. It provides a forum for interaction in a situation where physical space is impossible.

Of course, as with all things, there are risks and downsides. There are questions of security and validity. But in IBM's case, they have found a way to control those risks and use Second Life to their advantage. And that's exactly the way I think the internet should be used.

Internet Brain Drain

2008-02-10T16:21:00.001-05:00

Normally I associate the phrase "Nobel Prize Winner" with other phrases like intelligent, innovative, and inspiring. However, when Doris Lessing (new Nobel prize winner) makes a statement that the internet makes us dumb, I question my original associations.

According to this article in TechCrunch, Lessing believes that our generation of internet users is fragmented culturally and stunted mentally. With the use of the internet, we certainly no longer read, and we obviously have no idea what's going on in the world.

WRONG! Personally, the internet has enhanced my mind. For example, I may not have the time to sit down and read the paper, but I can pop onto cnn.com to check the latest news. Or maybe I have just heard about something I am not familiar with, well then there is a remedy for that called wikipedia. The internet has increased my knowledge, not limited it.

Whatever Lessing's intentions were in this speech, whether or not she was really trying to demean a generation, the reality is that the internet, like any form of communication, can be used for both good and evil. But the internet itself is not capable of making us dumb, and if used correctly it can open up a whole new world of knowledge for us.

A Little Shout Out

2008-02-06T13:25:00.001-05:00

You may have noticed my blog circle (the people with creative alliteration associated with their names). The people in my blog circle are also in my class and write almost as valuable posts as I do! If you want to check out a blogger with nearly as much sass as me, check out David's Blog. For more fabulous blogging, click on the other members of my blog circle over to the right!

Nike Used Me...And I Liked It

2008-02-03T23:55:00.002-05:00

Purple laces, blue sole, red swoosh... whatever my little mind can think of! That is the beauty of Nikeid, the customer can design their own shoe. Customization is an important quality to many consumers, and Nike smartly brought customization to the consumer by creating their Nikeid website.

Now, according to this article in BusinessWeek, Nike is incorporating Nikeid into their stores. The virtual world is an important part of the shopping experience. Many customers shop or pre-shop online. By adding this feature to their stores, Nike is likely to increase customer satisfaction.

Let's just say I want to buy a shoe to match my bright pink exercise pants, but then I go into the store and alas there is no such shoe. Instead of turning around and leaving with money in hand, I can just log onto Nikeid and create the perfect shoe.

There are several reasons why this was an excellent play for Nike. Of course, they have the chance of gaining more purchasing (and happy) customers, but also the nikeid is a great way for customers to interact with the brand. It creates buzz around Nike.. "Johnny have you seen this wicked sweet shoe I created at Nikeid? Check it out!" Not only that, but Nike can gain market research just from seeing what their customers like on Nikeid. Also, Nike creates limited editions of their best customer designs. What a perfect way to find hot new designs without having to search for hot new designers.

Other stores should really take a hint from Nike. This is a great way to enhance a brand's product, increase sales, and allow customer's to feel more fulfilled. Wow, now that I think of all the benefits Nike gains from bringing the virtual world into their store... I feel so used.

Move Aside Corporations... Bloggers Coming Through

2008-01-25T20:33:00.001-05:00

Who knew that when blogs first came into being that they would become such a powerful force in our society? I always thought blogs were just a place for people to write their feelings and experiences, much like an online diary. Well apparently, blogs are about much more.

According to this article, what would have once been just a few dissatisfied customers has turned into a full on lawsuit for Verizon Wireless. It all started with only one angry customer blogging about his disappointments with his mobile phone. However, that one blogger turned into hundreds of other disgruntled bloggers with similar problems. Until finally, that blogging turned into action...a class action lawsuit to be exact. Blogs have the ability to give consumers a united voice as well as a place to begin waging their wars.

What is important to note from this story is the power blogs have to influence businesses, not only in negative ways, but also in positive ways. The article mentions how blogging technology, such as search engines, make it much easier for the word to spread. Every good marketer should know that word of mouth advertising is some of the most effective out there.

Now (if not before) is the time for corporations to understand and utilize blogging for their benefit. Corporations can use blogs to create buzz around new products or to revive old ones. They can make their own blogs as well as have employees reading blogs for relevant information.

"If companies don't understand that and don't learn how to track what people are saying, they are going to be hit violently with PR problems that they don't understand or know where they are coming from" says Robert Scoble.

Not getting involved in blogging can cause corporations to lose out on advertising and promoting opportunities. Blogging is a popular way of communicating, and if a company isn't looking for ways to infiltrate the blogosphere they are ignoring an entire potential new market. Moreover, just because they aren't using blogs doesn't mean their competitors aren't.

But corporations beware, blogs are not just another medium for marketing. Bloggers have minds of their own and when they are scorned or disappointed, someone or maybe hundreds of someones are going to read all about it.

Who's Joining Facecbook Now?

2008-01-20T16:15:00.001-05:00

When I began college four years ago, facebook was just coming up in the world. I remember the excitement we all felt when they added more schools and you could begin to friend your friends from home. It started growing then and it just kept going.

After a little while I found myself wondering, who created the monster? What I found so great about facebook, it was only open to college students, was suddenly desecrated by the arrival of high school students and then the city networks. Now just about anybody can join facebook, and although this may seem good to some, I think it hurts the value of facebook.

According to the article, Social Graph-iti , the value of a network increases as does the number of its users, but this theory does not apply to social networks. Social networks are not actually about connecting to everybody, everywhere, but really about connecting to the right people in the right places. This undesirable growth of social networks has caused a movement to create smaller, more exclusive social networking sites.

Dr. Karen Stephenson writes that trust is a pivotal part of social networks. The problem we begin to see with facebook and myspace is that there is a lack of trust. People are concerned about who can find their information, or what creepy stalker may be friending them next. As the network gets bigger, trust gets smaller and so does the value of the network.

Just like any brand, facebook needs to learn the value of staying true to the wants and needs of its core market. And bigger is not always better.

At Least I Have Academic Integrity

2008-01-16T13:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog! Although you may be confused by the extremely entertaining nature of this blog, the reality is that this blog is for academic purposes. On my honor, all posts on this blog are my own. I am a student at American University and this blog will be used for one of my information technology classes. Now that that is clear, get ready for a semester's worth of highly exciting, yet refreshingly educational blogging.