An online community is no different than the one you live in. It’s built on the same principles and it’s citizens require the same kinds of social interaction. As human beings we’re naturally social creatures, and so require some kind of interaction.
While online communities are different in the physical aspect, they connect us in ways that our physical communities can’t. This, of course, has been talked about for a long time. However, as social networks mature you see new uses of them, and the adoption by the (gulp!) mainstream. This is inevitable.
So to get the most out of a social network, you have to put a lot into it. Look at the people who are gaining the greatest value today. Are they just lurkers? No – they actively update their status, post pictures, trade pokes, and engage in conversations. They don’t hold back and treat their online persona and friends in the same way they act and interact in real life.
If there is a negative perception of social networks, it’s in the eye of the beholder. Mostly I suspect it’s because many are afraid of participating. Either because of their own perception, their unsure of how to start, or what their friends peers would say.
While an adventurous few of these users are willing to try these services, the majority are just awakening to online social networking and, of course, find things like Facebook to seem unprofessional. You have to admit that LinkedIn comes across as a professional-oriented service that is designed to build professional relationships between its users.
This has probably helped cultivate strong feelings about Jeff’s switch…. that and most user’s anxiety to change. Also, most people work so hard on their professional image (i.e. Personal Brand) climbing the corporate ladder, that they cringe at the thought of using something that may seem less than professional.
Of course, I think the point of Jeff’s BW article was to stir the pot. Good!
One of my Twitter friends has posted a great article on getting started with Twitter. 1389 goes over what Twitter is, and how you can take advantage of using it yourself.
I’ll tell you I’ve met several hundred people on Twitter and find their input useful and interesting. While I follow mostly technical people in fields that I find interesting, I’ve also found many people in other fields that I never thought I’d be curious to learn about.
I’ve had this great experience over the last few days, networking and meeting dozens of people in Chris Brogan’s Grasshoppers group. An amazing social networking group that started life as a Facebook group, attracting somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 members in about 72 hours (someone correct me if I’m off on that).
The main concept of Grasshoppers is that it really has no structure and is only there to help each other. Got a question, toss it to the group. Need to find a talented PHP coder – ask the group. Need help finding equipment to donate for a good cause – ask the group. Grasshoppers is meant to be a dynamic association to help with just about anything, anywhere. Interesting group!
Recently Chris has created a Grasshoppers social network for the group over on Ning, and while we’re sure to loose some members in the transition, people really interested will make the jump. Some (even notable bloggers) have possibly mistaken the move as an intent to spread the Grasshoppers group to as many platforms as possible. That’s furthest from the realities. As a group of people, not a function of software, the group needed more options to get at the information the group is creating, and Facebook doesn’t account for that very well. At least not yet.
If you interested in a networking group that doesn’t place demands on your time, respects your skills, and participation level, then check out the Grasshoppers group. It’s also a great way to add contacts and extend your networking as well.
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to
