There must have been some sort of cosmic burp across the "Internets" this past week. Or maybe I was just paying more attention than usual. What I observed was a preponderance of incoming e-mails about various "connections" I have to other people on the Web. Messages from a wide variety of networks, catalogs and websites all telling me about some update or change in my information or someone else I may remotely know. But it is also quite amazing. I was delighted to be "found" by a friend from college with whom I've had no contact for nearly 20 years. It's pretty cool how the Internet has made the world smaller. Through various sources online, I've become familiar with people I'd never normally know, learned things I'd probably not discover on my own, and become better educated about cultures, customs and influences across the world. These are good things. the tough part is keeping up with all of the connection points. So this week I tried to get caught up on all those e-mails that had been pouring in. And then it hit me, just how many different networks out there, which was the inspiration for this week's scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Ways I'm Connected Online#1 Facebook- A very cool site that I barely know how to use.
#2 LinkedIn- A professional network with a ton of people on it. It's actually a useful tool.
#3 MySpace- Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I just can't figure this one out. It confuses me.
#4 MSN Homepage- I set this up a long time ago when I joined msn for e-mail, way before any of these other sites existed.
#5 Technorati- An amazing blog feed site that has driven a lot of traffic to my blog
#6 BlogCatalog- Fairly efficient, always up to date and interesting to read
#7 Widgetbox- There are many others that do similar things, but this site has caught my eye a few times
Bonus Entry: Multiply- I'm not sure what this one even does, but I receive comments from people who read this site at least once a week. It's all so overwhelming!
And this is just the list of ones that generated e-mail contacts to me during the past seven days. I never realized just how many ways I am connected online. What about you? Are there other sites that keep you connected? Go ahead, leave a comment, I've waived all comment fees~
Bonus Entry: Multiply- I'm not sure what this one even does, but I receive comments from people who read this site at least once a week. It's all so overwhelming!
And this is just the list of ones that generated e-mail contacts to me during the past seven days. I never realized just how many ways I am connected online. What about you? Are there other sites that keep you connected? Go ahead, leave a comment, I've waived all comment fees~
-Rick Rockhill
I love the way the internet has made keeping in touch easier.
ReplyDeleteI am so very flattered by your mention - thanks! Facebook over myspace, seems a little less like a booty call.I too have the msn page but it does nothing for me - something Bill Gates missed the boat on? Have technorati. Will check out your others. You might enjoy Ziggs. There is a similar (zoom) but Ziggs works best for the professional crowd and they have updated their site to expand the possibilities. I only use it as a way to be found (if anyone is looking!) and you can keep a current resume there. It will alert you WHEN and WHERE someone has pulled your profile but not tell you WHO - it likes to keep you guessing!
ReplyDeletejust this week sarge got a comment from a guy that he knew in viet nam 39 years ago that just discovered his blog... you never know. they were in the same unit!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxooxoxoxxo
I am on Technorati and Bloglines, but nothing else. I flirted with mysp*ce, checked out fac*book and tw*tter and pl*rk and decided to stay off all of them! Ziggs sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm a facebook girl.. Still learning it all, though...
ReplyDeleteSee ya online!
:-D)
Well, I am conected to Facebook by Default, really! I do not understand it at all, and find it mostly very silly....I had to sign up to see a blogger friend's daughters Facebook page...I suppose I could close down my Facebook page but it almost seems like more trouble than it is worth...lol!
ReplyDeleteAnd other than Blogging....That is it, I think. Pretty boring I guess...!
Wow, Rick! You are connected! ;) I'm a Facebook girl. I love how the internet keeps me connected to all my friends, family, students...and now with my online pals as well.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've been thinking about drumming up my blog traffic by scrawling my site address on the walls of public bathrooms using a Sharpie. I'll let you know how that works out.
ReplyDeleteJust the blog and Twitter for me. I have myspace, but it's just so I can read my daughter's. I don't have time for anything else. It's Sunday night and I might get to today's newspaper tomorrow. You know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteAny page with your picture on it is pretty spiffy, Rick! I know you on Facebook, too!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of some of these, but I am woefully and blissfully ignorant of them all!
ReplyDeleteI'm on all except 6 and 7. I'm most active (as in, a couple of time a week) on Facebook, as I have never ever liked MySpace. I also try to look at LinkedIn once a month.
ReplyDeleteFor connections, I much prefer email, the phone, my blog. But FB is great for those rediscovered connections.