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How do you handle the brave new world of digital intimacy?
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I admire those who somehow find time to go back to school while working full time. I'm racing each week just to keep up with the work from the Knight Digital Media Center program I blogged about recently.
In my previous post on the subject, we had a lively discussion about social networking on a news site. I hope you'll continue to participate in the class. Here are this week's assignments and my brief comments:
-- 50 Ways to use Social Media, listed by Objective
I'm pleased we already are doing many of the items on this list. I'll have to dig more into some other suggestions such as Website Grader. I had the site rate VictoriaAdvocate.com and was pleased to find we received an A. I'd like to see us do better yet about building sites around communities of shared interest.
-- Brave New World of Digital Intimacy
This is an excellent look at how News Feed transformed a social networking site. How can our site better integrate with Facebook status updates? The challenge would be to allow individual users to set their connections however they like, as Facebook does.
I had never considered the concept of ambient awareness on Twitter. I'm not sure I want to distantly read everyone's mind. This reminds me of a conversation I had with a Victoria woman who briefly tried Twitter. She said she was shocked when so many people started following her and quickly fled in fear. From an older generation, she didn't understand why anyone who would want to share so much private information. "I don't want to be Twittered!" she declared.
What's your Dunbar number? Mine is 343 (144 Facebook friends + 199 on Twitter), but close friends and family probably number closer to 20.
This is a fascinating article in many respects. Let me know what you think after reading it.
-- Twitter Wrote This Column For Me
I'm in the camp of those who think Oprah joining Twitter signals the beginning of the end for this social networking fad. I still see tremendous opportunities for news organizations using Twitter, but I wonder how far this will go.
I see Twitter as a way to expand a journalist's toolbox. However, I am wary of the hype. This article leads breathlessly with the Tweeted photo from the Hudson plane crash. It's as if we have no collective memory of the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo shot by a civilian after the OKC bombing. At community papers, we've long relied on readers to supply content.
The Twitter founder's notion of a credibility algorithm is an attractive notion, but can you really engineer trust?
I want to learn more about Facebook Connect and how it might be used on VictoriaAdvocate.com. What are your thoughts on this product?
As for the Facebook's comments about the "trusted referral," I hope that's already the strength of a community newspaper. I'm not sure metro newspapers can create personal trust via Facebook.
-- Still Don’t Get Twitter? Maybe This Will Help
This is an example of when a question headline doesn't work. Have I mentioned I'm sick of the Twhype?
This article is only a year old, but it feels so dated. Sure, we have to understand where our audience is. However, here's the billion-dollar question: Where is our audience going? Will there even be a Facebook in five years?
So, that's my reading for this week. I appreciate your feedback as I work through these thoughts.
Until next time, keep up with me on Twitter (my teacher will be so proud):
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More thoughts shared via Twitter:
@chezla My college students think Twitter's for old people. And they're bummed you can't hit the "like" button on Twitter.
@Pinkribbonwendi it's like chatting- but cuz it's so public people tend to keep it clean.
@Pinkribbonwendi but wonder why it's so appealing to know what our friends r doing every moment...symptom of the instant media age addiction
@rlowery98 my (Facebook) groups are rifftrax, cinematic titanic, mst3k, zz top, pink floyd and a few others
What are best features of Facebook groups? @rlowery98 nothing really just subjects I am interested in
@dfjoseph Estabished a Facebook account. Envisioned quagmire. Deleted account before it was too late.
@rebeccasmom Good one! Twitter is texting for old people. I hate texting on my phone. Don't know all the lingo.
@Taynted_lyfe wow. im in college and i LOVE twitter. i am almost 30, though... (also, i am overjoyed that there is not a like button)
@nel1jack For the most part, twittering does seem more inhabited by older net denizens, possibly because we are more likely to ask
@nel1jack opinions or offer thoughts intended for multiple people to read. as opposed to texting which is one on one interaction
April 25, 2009 at 6:26 a.m.LOL Chris.....good job!
April 24, 2009 at 9:57 p.m.VBB,
A good copy editor is trained to have a dirty mind.
John,
Glad you like our 10 a.m. live chats. I hope Mogulus ges a little more stable. Thanks for participating.
April 24, 2009 at 9:50 p.m.Hmmm....Chris, I just read your headline with the literal side of my brain.....it cracked me up.
April 24, 2009 at 6:45 p.m.LoL, yeah? I guess so.
I like the video chat room deal you guys got.
when it works!
ha ha.
I once had a desire to start my own video chatroom where people would come to listen to music and discuss stuff.
I'd call it "Joker's Wild", mainly because you really never know what I'm going to discuss or do. Believe it or not this is a reflection of my life.
I like you guys, I discuss stuff all over the internet.
I like chatrooms and blogs, you get a more active response I think?
April 24, 2009 at 4:25 p.m.John,
April 24, 2009 at 4:18 p.m.I certainly understand why Twitter or Facebook might not be for you. What online social networking appeals to you? I'm assuming commenting and blogging on the Advocate site qualifies.
Thanks.
I still don't twitter and have been gone from my face book page so long I've forgotten my password.
Again.
I'm weird that way.
April 24, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.The second half of my assignment is about Facebook Groups. Why are they successful? What features and tactics is each using to be successful?
I'm not much of a user of Facebook Groups. How about you?
April 24, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.Some fun responses via Twitter to this class assignment:
Assignment: Briefly describe key similarities and key differences of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
nel1jack@chriscobler twitter = Battle Royal
deanbetz@chriscobler LinkedIn=static work relationships. Twitter=fluid, dynamic relationships; real-time work.
HampRogers@chriscobler Twitter = the tool by which those of us leading quiet lives of desperation convince ourselves that our life is scintillating.
Janel64@chriscobler Twitter = one huge chatroom?
Rebeccamom@chriscobler The difference between Facebook and Twitter for me: my mom is on FaceBook.
Pinkribbonwendi@chriscobler I'm so over myspace. It seems like a cyber booty call. Facebook seems to have more class. Wonder what tweeterville thinks...
There's still time to join the fun -- and help with my assignment. What do you think are the similarities and differences?
April 24, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.