Social networking is not what it was and will become not what it is

Snazzy title there eh? Pleased with that.

Things have changed a lot in the last few years.

The Internet revolution has been so persuasive that it seems to hav taken no prisoners. Just as soon as some new idea is taking root, offshoots, both complimentary and opposing seem to sprout. Taking on the curve, yet alone ahead of it is daunting!

One area is that of Social networking which, if your are of the 'hater' persuasion, might better be termed as Anti-social networking. It's a real thing and there are both amazing and tragic examples of just how real it is.

Whilst this is a communication change that has taken root in society, fundamental changes across the IT landscape have been ongoing for some time and will continue to do so. Change sometimes is threatening to the already established and never is it more true to consider that standing still is to actually be losing ground when on this landscape.

Even the home desktop PC that still is instrumental in the internet's growth is coming under threat. The mobile devices of today will surely become the dominate platforms of the not too distant future. Their growth rate is impressive, a new generation is adopting them with ease and the well of possibility seems deep.

eMail of old is changing in its functionality and capability. This blog was emailed to the server for example. It has changed from a simple point to point tool and acts more as a service now. Messaging, a by-product of early mobile telephone technology has grown to challenge voice communication in some cases. It has been taken up by business as a great way to reach the mass market instantly. Email and SMS are the agents of the old regime however. 

The information technology landscape continues to evolve at a rapid rate.  No doubt some may even be struggling to keep abreast.  Social networking sites have spawned up and clever and capable visionaries have managed to create a new consciousness in the online arena.

I tried out Facebook, My Space, Windows Live and some other blog sites over the years.  I like some aspects but once past the novelty effect which soon wore off I found myself left with wondering "why do I need this?. At that time in my life, I didn't need it so I left social networking to those who seemed to need it more than I did! 

I consider these try's as fundamental in my gaining experience in the Social Networking arena however and today, having made my decision on where to plant my virtual existence, I can say thanks to those earlier explorations. One important difference between now and then is that now I really have a reason to use the network.

eBlogger has been chosen as my blog platform because I like what it offers. Other services provide my on-line email and photo sharing requirements. All this can be managed my by mobile phone if needed and given my life decisions and how my life has evolved, these tools are really useful and helpful to share. More importantly I've matured a lot too!

For some, this evolution in social networking is great stuff;  for other, a terrible and scary thing.  I now have a need and I appreciate the opportunities and advantage offered.  For example, with advances in mobile phone application, when I can pay for my parking with an SMS message, that just makes my life easier. With social networking, when I need to share some information with family and friends*, it just makes it easier.

* I define 'friend' in the old school sense.  I need to have actually met them and liked them! gone for a pizza or invited around my house or whatever. Friend has been hijacked in the social network world and some people have thousands of friends .... Really ????

And then there's the other side of the coin.

The not so excellent realities. This is not necessarily anyone's fault, in the finger pointing sense, though ultimately, personal responsibility will shine through the cloud of confusion and frustration often present as the most important aspect of your online behaviour.

The issues of privacy are always going to be emotive and there certainly is a need for some education regarding one's social networking personality I feel.

As example, back in the day, Facebook's refusal to allow me full and total control of my info information was unacceptable.  I left and eventually, when facebook updated their policy, I deleted the account and remained away. Many others felt the same it appeared and I clearly, this exodus eventually convinced them to change their policy.

That facebook needed to be pushed so hard is more of the concern for me. That some of the leadership needed this push is telling. But it's part of how social networking changed back then. Social networking is not what it was. I don't trust that facebook management learned anything positive from this experience but I do feel there was a lesson there.

This commentary is not a dig at Facebook as much as a note of warning about social networking on the whole.  There is a need to experiment and test ideas and also a need for corporate leadership to show moral courage.

JW