Online social networking systems.... Twitter and the like

[cohan]

Like others, I find Facebook useful to an extent-- I have reconnected with a number of friends in/from various places I have lived over the years, which is fun-- most I never would have found (or got around to finding!) otherwise..

Interestingly, after my last residence in Toronto, where I had to be phone accessible and answering the phone (though still to a limited extent on cell in public!) for clients, here, I am unreachable by phone, and only turn it on to make appointments with the mechanic etc!

[Maggi Young]

Interestingly, after my last residence in Toronto, where I had to be phone accessible and answering the phone (though still to a limited extent on cell in public!) for clients, here, I am unreachable by phone, and only turn it on to make appointments with the mechanic etc!

Oh, so that's why there are so many doves on your roof..... they're carrier pigeons!

[Martin Baxendale]

I was looking up Facebook statistics for overseas marketing purposes for the book, and interestingly some of the highest Facebook user rates as a percentage of the population were in Canada and Australia, both huge countries with vast distances between population centres, so obviously very useful in such situations for helping people keep in touch with relatives etc.

This site gives an interesting insight into the growth of Facebook users in different countries:

 http://www.socialbakers.com/facebook-statistics/

[Martin Baxendale]

The figures for the Vatican (which is of course a state) are interesting - 840 Facebook users shut down their Facebook accounts in the last two weeks, leaving just 20 users in the Vatican. Did someone issue some kind of edict? And who are the 20 still on Facebook, and why? 

[annew]

It sounds like a conspiracy, Martin. Maybe you should write a book...

[Martin Baxendale]

It sounds like a conspiracy, Martin. Maybe you should write a book...

[cohan]

The figures for the Vatican (which is of course a state) are interesting - 840 Facebook users shut down their Facebook accounts in the last two weeks, leaving just 20 users in the Vatican. Did someone issue some kind of edict? And who are the 20 still on Facebook, and why? 

Sounds like an edict indeed! The 20 remaining are probably there to keep an eye on developments and report back...

Maggi-- far more likely crows than doves  I just don't have any reason to talk to anyone on the phone anymore..lol
My only communication is here or email lists etc--where of course I talk far too much... shutting up now...

[Hans J]

The figures for the Vatican (which is of course a state) are interesting - 840 Facebook users shut down their Facebook accounts in the last two weeks, leaving just 20 users in the Vatican. Did someone issue some kind of edict? And who are the 20 still on Facebook, and why? 

  Martin...maybe : "par ordre de mufti" 

[Martin Baxendale]

The figures for the Vatican (which is of course a state) are interesting - 840 Facebook users shut down their Facebook accounts in the last two weeks, leaving just 20 users in the Vatican. Did someone issue some kind of edict? And who are the 20 still on Facebook, and why? 

  Martin...maybe : "par ordre de mufti" 

[Colin]

I suppose somehow it was inevitable that I would have a comment. I think you are right Maggi. Why on earth anyone would want to use Twitter or Facebook escapes me.  Talk about washing your dirty linen in public...........................................  No wonder young people these days cannot express themselves verbally or even write !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wim de Goede]

Hello,

Let me introduce myself; I am Linda, the daughter-in-law of Wim de Goede. I manage our Twitter account.

In this way we want to show people using Twitter a look behind the scenes in our nursery. Only for business use.

Also we want to inform and help people about our Miscellaneous Bulbs.

With kind regards, Linda

[tonyg]

Twitter - has the word Twit in it - need I say more

However Twitter amuses Jacinta through the offices of Mr Fry who coincidentally is on the board at Norwich City FC and thereby Jacinta can keep me ahead of the news from our local team!
Facebook allows me to keep in touch with friends about Jacinta's recent operation without the intrusion of a ringtone.

Everything in moderation .....   (No comments please!)

[Maggi Young]

Hello,

Let me introduce myself; I am Linda, the daughter-in-law of Wim de Goede. I manage our Twitter account.

In this way we want to show people using Twitter a look behind the scenes in our nursery. Only for business use.

Also we want to inform and help people about our Miscellaneous Bulbs.

With kind regards, Linda

 Hello Linda,
 Thank you for introducingyourself. I know that many businesses are using Twitter to make contact with customers and I believe it must be a useful tool for you.

It is a system which has lovers and haters, it seems! 

[Paddy Tobin]

I suppose somehow it was inevitable that I would have a comment. I think you are right Maggi. Why on earth anyone would want to use Twitter or Facebook escapes me.  Talk about washing your dirty linen in public...........................................  No wonder young people these days cannot express themselves verbally or even write !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin, there are other sides and uses to Facebook than washing dirty linen in public. I use it as a convenient way to keep in contact with friends in Maryland and California, with family when abroad, and find it a very easy way to share photographs etc. Also it is a very convenient way to keep up to date with what is on offer at our local and national theatres, keep up to date with local news etc.

Paddy

[Darren]

 I agree, wholeheartedly, with Colin.

I'm not a technophobe ( I use very complex scientific instruments at work and just volunteered to implement & manage a new lab database), but these things I use at work are tools. The trend for people (especially the younger ones) claiming to be "bored" unless they have technological input from a gadget in their hand or wired into their ears annoys and depresses me.

But then - as an introvert by nature the very phrase 'social networking' puts my back up right from the start 

If folks want to use these things then that is fine and I would fight for their right to do so, where I get worried is when employers start using these networks for recruitment or vetting potential employees. This discriminates against those of us who can actually still think for ourselves without computer help or input from our 'networks' ...  But then maybe employers don't want folks who can think - sheep are easier to manage.