Social networks more popular than email?
Submitted by victoria on Tue, 03/10/2009 - 18:52
Tagged:
Just a little add-on that felt appropriate sharing this week given the context. It's official: apparently people now use online social networks more often than they email. There's an article in a few online papers, including PC Magazine and the Globe.
- victoria's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
I have to agree with your
I have to agree with your opening question - I think we are heading towards social networks being more popular than email if we haven't already arrived there. As I noted earlier - as I walk through our library in and around the computer pools a good proportion of the students are on Facebook. I've been told by many students that they are using Facebook to talk with their friends rather than email. It's amazing - I guess I'm old school - a nice cup of coffee in a comfortable setting is my preferred way to interact socially rather than Facebook. BUt having said that - I do have a Facebook account that I use - not for email though... Think I'd go through email withdrawal :)
I find the comparison between
I find the comparison between Facebook and email to be slightly confusing because there is an option of sending private messages to to friends which is sort of sending an email, but through Facebook. In fact, most of my communication in Facebook is done this way because I tend to like to protect my privacy. I know that even if the Human Resources Manager in my library system doesn't Google potential new hires, I do once they announce who's been hired. I've found people's resumes online and PAC meeting minutes mentioning that person. I haven't found anything really "bad" but it still makes me realize that I have to not only be wary of what I put online, but ensure that what is only reflects well on me.
Tara
That people can find you
That people can find you online is a very real- and kinda scary- concept: there are lots of articles about who can find you online, and not just stalkers. How comfortable are you with the word knowing your personal life? Educators? Potential employers? That neighbor down the street? Identity thieves? Another reason why I keep my FB account private.
However, the thought of potential employers looking me up also raises a new issue: oddly enough, I’m not the only “Victoria McIntosh” that’s out there, nor am I one of the ones that show up on google. So if you’re looking for people you’ve never met, how do you know it’s them?
Ultimately you don't. I
Ultimately you don't. I usually will add a keyword such as "library" or city name and it will get me somewhere. I only will do a very quick search so that's about as far as I'd go. There's really two routes to go:
1. Try to eliminate any references online
2. Manage your online identity
I don't see #1 being that possible, especially since all of us have been blogging on this public site (it's already too late). Regarding #2, there are many blog posts or columns that cover this:
Who Is Managing Your Online Identity? http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2009/02/18/who-is-managing-your-...
Information Professional Identities and Our Online Reputation http://www.sirsidynix.com/Resources/Pdfs/Company/Abram/IOColumn_73.pdf
You Can’t Be Anonymous Online If You… http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/05/07/you-cant-be-anonymous-o...
Manage Your Online Reputation http://lifehacker.com/357460/manage-your-online-reputation
Say Everything http://nymag.com/news/features/27341/index1.html
Tara
Facebook does the main thing
Facebook does the main thing email was intended to do better than a lot of email systems do, plus a whole lot more (especially asynchronous group discussion, which are handled the way they should be handled: a message board). I'm not surprised at all.
That's interesting. A problem
That's interesting. A problem some university admin and profs are facing these days is that students are not checking their school email accounts. Granted, I hardly ever check mine either. Facebook messages are the primary vehicle I now use to communicate with everyone I know outside of work and other more professional arenas. Less SPAM/ FWDs and all my messages go to one place. (Before, I had about 6 active email accounts plus various university accounts that were coming and going, so everything going to facebook is much easier, though limited to informal/ personal communication).