Social Networking Goes Professional

I had not heard of Sermo.com, most likely because I am not a physician, but it is amazing to me this idea was not utilized 10 years ago. We are all familiar with conference calls and things like that, but the ability to post your medical questions and concerns on a safe, reliable, and reputable site for other physicians to share can absolutely change medicine. Doctors would not even have to be in the same continent, let alone affiliated in some way to be able to communicate and commiserate with other physicians.

In the article they discuss the eye cancer patient who was diagnosed with the help of his physician and others over the social network, Sermo.com. Imagine how many other patients, especially cancer patients, can be helped from these sites. It is the sharing of information, and collaboration, that are crucial in the medical field, so I think this site maybe one of the most important on the internet.

I do have to say, I would like for physicians to have to register in some way that proves they are a medical doctor and shows some credentials.

"Facebook is Marketing Your Brands"-New York Times Article

*Read the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/technology/07adco.html

We have been discussing the many uses of Facebook and someone mentioned that they bought a dress online and after purchasing found the option to post their dress online to show friends and promote the website.

I have seen the personalized advertisements on MySpace and Facebook (offers to buy Purdue apparel, etc.), but I had not realized the advertising was coming from our activity outside Facebook. The article says Facebook calls it "social advertising" and really, I think its ingenious!

I know there are privacy issues and it all seems a bit creepy, but it is just another way the internet and these social websites are linking all facets of our lives together. Many of our "friends" are not living in close proximity, so it is feasible that I would want to purchase a dress online, post it on Facebook, and get my friend's opinions. I guess you could always send them an email picture, but let' just go with it.

With this personalized "social advertising" I have been sent coupons, sale alerts, and updated newsletters for many of the things I actually do care about and purchase often. How annoying is it when you get tens of emails for products and services that have nothing to do with you...maybe if they are atleast catered to your personal preferences, some advantages will come out of it.

How Did Facebook Become So Popular?

I was one of the last people in my family and friends to get a cell phone, a laptop, and to sign up for MySpace because I was content without those things...until I got them. I knew once I had a cell phone I would never be able to live without it. So, when I finally went on MySpace to check it out I found that so, so many people I know, or have known were already members. I found out through word-of-mouth, then joined to be part of something many of my friends and family were part of.

As Facebook started at Harvard and then began spreading around campus, then to other campuses, then to business, and finally to the public, word-of-mouth carried it. If your best friend and your sister are both talking about this "Facebook" site, it makes you want to check it out.

Facebook has personal and business uses that define Web 2.0 and none of us want to be left out of the loop, so we join. Once you joing you begin to reap the benefits and you then pass the word to friends and colleagues.

"Facebook Faceoff"

The "Facebook Faceoff" article was an example of how cyber-bullying can be detrimental to someone's personal and professional life.

Some of our classmates have said that it is just exaggerated by the media and parents (cyber-bullying), and I agree that happens, but more and more cases like this are being presented.

I do believe in freedom of speech, but what can we do about situations like "Rachel's" at Syracuse. This T.A was humilated on campus and her career path changed because 5 girls bad-mouthed and bullied her online. We can't say that is no big deal, or typical "playground bullying".

In elementary schools these things do occur, but when it enters into a public forum and threatens your job and reputation, there has to be some legal protection.

Digital Native...An Employment Requirement

After I transferred back to PUC this January I began searching for a part-time job...something "professional". On each application and interview my "computer skills" or "computer literacy" came into play. Employers today want to know that they are hiring someone who will, at least, be able to send an email. I started working for Standard Bank as a teller and I am surprised, almost on a daily basis, at how computer ILLiterate many of my co-workers are. The oldest employee in the office is 47, but I am still the go-to person when someone needs to add an attachment to an email in Outlook. I imagine that by the time our children head into the workforce they will all be digital natives, so computer literacy will just be assumed. My question is, TODAY, do you think that 2 candidates, equal in everyway will be judged on their computer skills? Will one person be chosen over the other because they are more keen with the workings of all the Web 2.0 features, sites, software, etc.?

"Cyber-Bullying"-September 2

With MySpace, Facebook, and even instant messaging cyber-bullying has become a big problem for school-aged kids. In my Education class we talked about how to handle bullies in the classroom, but that can be the easy part. My professor said that cyber-bullying is actually on its way to becoming illegal.
For all the good that can come out of social networks (making new friends, connecting with old friends, business contacts, sharing pictures, etc...), it also creates a forum for abuse, and sometimes kids will log on with nicknames so their bullying cannot be traced. If any of you are parents, or have younger siblings, have you had any experiences with cyber-bullying? I know my sister, who is in high school, has seen this first hand. It makes me happy MySpace was not around when I was in high school!

ENGL 396 C...Not, 389

A classmate just let me know I labeled my Blog with the wrong class number...oops. Does anyone know how to fix that? Thank You.