Social Networking...?

MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, all means of "Social Networking".
Pros -

• Can expand your realm, your knowledge base, and your contacts (business or otherwise). Talk about information central -news rockets through these communities - regardless of the type of news, world shaking, celebs, or couch snoozing.
• Meet, greet and date! Carefull!
• Promo events, business, or talents - FREE - and free is a BIG deal. I know many people who have MySpace/Twitter etc. accounts just to advertise their insert project/event/ business/talent/band/video here. The numbers of people reached is exponential, (read gargantuan huge). Touch vastly more people, FREE, that's better than any other medium around, bar none.

Cons -

• ADDICTIVE - That's what keeps the sites going. I have seen people in a withdrawl frenzy if they think they can't get to a computer to check their MySpace etc. Devotees are die hard faithful.
• Do I really want to know that you just ate a doughnut or sneezed all over your cat?? Do I care? It is full of life's minutia, a mass of useless trivia.

Once again one must sift and sort to suit yourself.

Week #1 Get a Life! Virtual or Real?

2nd Life is an interesting concept. I've seen it. It can be fun flying around from place to place participating in a virtual world, being whoever you want to be in an imaginary land. Wait a minute, wasn't that done in Peter Pan? It is, undeniably, a new market to tap to reach those addicted to this virtual world and another segment of the population. It is also an opportunity to create a virtual store front to disseminate information. Just look at the last election, with the large Obama presence in Second Life. Only time will tell if it is a flash in the pan or something that will last and develop.

The thing is, there is so much in the REAL world to see, do, and feel. Why limit myself to 2D (pseudo 3D). I can take a virtual vacation with Google Earth and 2nd life etc, but that does not compare to the experience of really going places and the people you meet, things that happen, sights, sounds, language, smells, tastes, feelings. There are many senses left unexperienced in a virtual world. Seeing pictures (even 3D) of the Eiffel Tower is much different than actually touching it, riding up to the top, eating dinner there, and taking in the view. (Which I've done.) After a long day at the computer - There's just something to be said for taking a hike, parking yourself by a cool pond, leaning against a tree, and enjoying the outdoors.

Techno - Learn 2.5

Starting the new round of techno-info. I'll be posting my observations as we go through the lessons.