There’s no way I’m joining MySpace. And I just deleted my account on VIRB because it was kind of confusing. I just joined Facebook and I’m pretty pleased because I see quite a few of my fellow bloggers on there as well.
I am a bit of a ‘joiner’ and feel left out not being involved in this whole phenomenon. Of course, when you sign up for a social network and it’s just – you know – you, it feels a little empty. Luckily, this time I may have joined one that actually has some people I “know” involved so I’m hoping to stick with it. It seems a bit like “MySpace for grown-ups” if you ask me.
Enough of my insecurity issues… If you’re reading this, do you social network? If so, what’s your platform of choice?
I utilize social networking sites, but not just for “social” stuff. Basically, I emphasize the professional side. So, I like sites like LinkedIn. I have a Facebook account so I can reconnect with old friends and such, but I don’t spend much time around there; it basically just links off to my website.
I also use ma.gnolia for bookmarks, but I don’t much utilize the social aspects. I think Flickr and Jaiku are my main social networks. I think those appeal because there’s not a lot of pressure for interaction really. Other than that, board.43F is a bit of a social network for me too.
So, yah, I use social networking sites, but not much for socializing. Do with that what you will.
I don’t use too much social networking, mostly because I don’t know if my friends use it and my family certainly does not. But the idea of creating a professional network is certainly appealing! I use Flickr and have started a Twitter account just to get updates for my husband’s company, but I don’t send Tweets myself.
I just walked through Facebook with my 16-year-old nephew and was very impressed. I’m considering creating a profile there to see how it works and if it would catch on with my friends. Knowing there maybe be other edtech professionals I could connect with there would certainly drive me to do it sooner rather than later!
I think what impressed me most about Facebook is the number of professional folks on it. I’ve joined a “Colorado State University Grad School” network, but also a couple of education-focused groups as well. You’ll find professors and professionals, as well as reconnect with a few old friends from high school. You’ll find quite a few edubloggers on there as well.
@Jaime: I love Flickr. I never really considered that to be a “social networking” tool, but I guess it really is! I’ve been using it for years to keep our distant family up-to-date on our little ones.
@Jill: When you do drink the Facebook Kool-Aid, look me up!
Here is our bold approach to social networking – Ccube.com is more than just another “social networking” site for friends. Ccube is a community that lets you find and connect to the right person anytime anywhere over the phone, while keeping your number private. Decide when to receive calls, via invitation only, and block unwanted callers.
After you register, you don’t even need a computer. Talk from your cell, home, or work telephone.
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I tried out Meem, but it didn’t work out. Facebook has turned out to be my new digital hub, if you could call it that. It has mostly replaced both e-mail and MSN as a way to keep in touch with coming and former students. I or my students have set up groups for each of the classes I’ve had for seven years at my Global Village course. I even do the info work about next year’s class through Facebook, as “Everyone” is there. The parts that bug me, is that activity on the student photo sites and student blogs have all but stopped, because everything goes through Facebook. Here in Norway, everything has happened in the last couple of months, and it still is a very student kind of thing. Adults are still a bit scheptical.
Correction: It should have been iMeem, not “Meem”.
I guess I would like to ‘social network’ but I am so overwhelmed. How do you keep up with everything. If I don’t read everything in my google reader I feel guilty. I use delicious, listen to podcasts, comment on blog posts, listen to WOW 2.0 live on Tuesday. I would like to learn more because I know how much kids love myspace and facebook I just don’t know how to prioritize all this. Melinda
As some have said above, I think “social” networking is a bit of a misnomer for how those of us who use these things are using them. It’s a great way to stay on top of what your professional contacts are doing and what they’re into. But to use them like the kids use them (e.g. as their online “life”) – none of us would have the time!!
All of this can indeed be very overwhelming. But I like summer because it gives me a little downtime to explore things that I just don’t have time for during the school year.