Web/Tech: December 2003 Archives
There is a lot of hype about social networking and the tools that support it. Cesar is the CEO of a firm that focuses on using networks of trusted individuals for sales purposes. He makes good points about the value of the network to which one belongs, privacy of your personal contact information, and simplicity of use for all participants in the network. Good post!
This article summarizes how the online music industry is evolving and how Loudeye is functioning as an intermediary.
Profiles Loudeye, which the Mercury News calls "the dominant, if invisible, middleman in [the] emerging online music business." Loudeye announced a partnership with Microsoft yesterday that will allow anyone to set up an online music store. Loudeye's Digital Music Store service uses Windows Media 9 technology and copyright protection. Among its first customers: AT&T Wireless and Gibson Guitarhttp://www.corante.com/internet/redir/35585.html
Stuart Henshall is an expert in the use of new media technologies in the workplace. His current obsessions are social networking tools, social software, blogging, wikis, and the revolution taking place around voice communications. I have only recently made the acquaintance with Stuart thanks to a truly creative and well thought out idea he had built around the availability of Skype as an immediate and easy-to-use-mean to interact with other, like-minded people. Sprung by curiosity I contacted him and found him to be a truly fascinating character. Stuart has strong point of views and truly rides ahead of the majority...
[Robin Good' Sharewood Tidings]
Since I work, the majority of my time, on the net and disconnected from my co-workers, I am always interested in the work that Robin Good is doing on web conferencing and online collaboration. This latest post, an interview with Stuart Henshal, is an interesting discussion, because he asserts a strong point of view on the evolution of the social software tools. I've been working this way for many years, and I have begun to see a significant decline in costs along with a simultaneous increase in the value of the services.
Recently, I set up a new Sharepoint site for a team that I am working with. It was extraordinarily easy. It has none of the instant messaging or video capabilities mentioned as a best practices, but it does include document and meeting workspaces, discussion areas, announcements and tasklists. I am sure that Microsoft will add other functionality that will augment the tool further. Groove, of course, adds a significantly more secure environment because of their relationship with the defense department. Both tools, however, are easy to set up and allow users to interact quite immediately. To keep costs low, I usually recommend relying on a telephone connection, email, and, most recently a collaborative work space; most work can be done over the phone. My experience is that video adds another level of complexity that does not significantly add to the value of the communication. An internet vioce solution, other than the telephone, INHO would add value. I also like Grooves ability to share web sites on the fly, and to share presentations in their environment without using Webex or Microsoft servers.
