Social+Networks+Update+2

__**Social Networks **__

Update #2

Kayla Drake

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Kayla Drake

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Are you curious as to how our front page poll turned out? If yes, you may click here to view our results as of 02/13/2011. If no, click here!


 * February 16th, 2011 **
 * Post By: Madison Jones **
 * The Article: “Japan Social Network Mixi Supports Real-World Tagging via NFC” [|Article Link]**
 * By: J. Angelo Racoma**



 Mixi, Japan’s social networking site is now adding a system for easy tagging of real-world items using Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is a wireless protocol for close-in communication between mobile devices such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. NFC activates when you tap two NFC-enabled devices together. NFC is also useful in point-of-sale situations, in which a user's mobile wallet can be used to pay for purchases. One inherent advantage of NFC is the use of passive receivers which can be powered by the active "initiator" by use of radio waves. This way, NFC technology can be embedded in stickers, tags and other small items that don't require batteries. Mixi Check In works like Google Latitude, Foursquare or Facebook Places. This feature lets users check into a location, which is shared with contacts. Meanwhile, Mixi Check In lets users share information on a tagged item by tapping or waving one's smartphone. NFC adds a new dimension to mobile and social networks using snapshots and typed-in text. But being able to tap items adds to the ease and accessibility factor, which is important while on the go.

"Mending the gaps in US intelligence" **Source: Al Jazeera ** media type="custom" key="8405544"
 * February 17th, 2011 **
 * Post by: Heather A. Shadd **

The main concern about our US intelligence presently is why their department was not well aware of the situations in Egypt and Tunisia and had not addressed the White House in a timely manner. Congressional hearings are being held to see where the issues lie and social websites were brought up. How is it such websites have more info and faster than our own US intelligence and can this jeopardize security? Maybe our own government and intelligence agency could benefit from these sites because how else could you get faster news than from the people who are causing or are a part of the news? "...more work needs to go into monitoring social websites to find out where the tipping point lies between unrest and revolution."


 * February 17th, 2011 **
 * Posted By: Sadie Eisley **
 * Article: “Social Media Around the World: Current Trends and Future Growth”**
 * By: Michael Bonfils**

Social Networks are used throughout the world. The article “Social Media Around the World: Current Trends and Future Growth” is a fantastic source of information that examines the social networks used in different countries and the impact that they have on the citizens of those countries. It is shocking to learn that each country favors a particular social network. Okurt, Mixi and Gree and all networks that I had never heard of but are favored in places such as Brazil and Japan. The article explains that Facebook is continuing to grow from country to country as the language barriers are overcome. The article determines that the future of social networking is reliant on internet accessible cell phones. As the number of cell phones with internet access increases more and more people will be inclined to explore social networks and become a patron of them.



**Posted by Kayla Drake** [|"Celebrity Tweets" Article]
 * February 17th 2011 **
 * Article:"Tinseltown Top Tweets" **
 * By: Kim Grundy **

Since the birth of "Tinseltown", celebrities have always been seen as these luxurious untouchable people; always looking perfect in public, and never saying anything without the permission of their publicist. Until the amazing birth of Twitter. Since this new trend of saying-the-first-thing-on-your-mind as become the newest fashion, we have watched so many celebrities make public announcements via tweet that have either caused them media back lash or have been the method to which they address media backlash. What ever they are tweeting, it is causing them more problems then not, and we are just eating it up.



[| http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-02-14-social-media-new-political-weapon-in-africa]
 * February 17, 2011 **
 * Post By: Brook Bentley **
 * The Article: Social Media: New Political Weapon in Africa by John Mokwetsi **

This article is from Newsday, which is Zimbabwe news source. The article addresses the idea of a revolution, like the one that took place in Egypt, occurring in Zimbabwe as well as other African countries. The article explains how parts of Africa contain the perfect mixture for social networks to be the perfect platform for political discussion and revolution. Countries like Egypt and Zimbabwe have high internet penetration as well as high literacy which allows, as the article explains, the unpredictable youth to use it as a public platform. Sights such as Facebook have gained a strong political impact as well as blogs. This transfer of information to a lot of people quickly could cause demand for democracy in more places than just Egypt.

As we know some of us find out about events such as friends birthdays or an old high school class mate dying via Facebook. That may be the first place we see it before anyone tells us on the phone or in person. With how powerful this instant transfer of information is in the United States it will be interesting to see if it becomes a way for political information to transfer in other countries. The ability for people to see someone’s blog update instantly or a post on Facebook that hundreds of Facebook friends can see does provide powerful grounds for this political platform to be created.

I think that social networks also provide grounds for people who want to become political leaders but are oppressed due to their government to gain followers. The access to information on the internet allows for people to broaden their knowledge to new ideas and new political ideas as well. Someone who is interested in change not only can persuade others but can communicate via social networks like a video on Youtube or a blog.

** February 17th, 2011 ** **Post by: Megan Salkin**
 * Article: "Twitter as Tech Bubble Barometer" [|Article Link] **
 * By: Spencer E. Ante, Amir Efrate, and Anupreeta Das, The Wall Street Journal **

Biz Stone, Co-founder of Twitter

This article seems relevant to Arceneaux's recent lecture, "Patent Paradox" not only because it discusses Twitter's (increasing) value, but also it discusses its desirability to buyers in the industry who are involved in the same kind of business. Facebook and Google have had their eyes on Twitter and have been keeping communication open, however Twitter is not in any rush to sell their empire. In fact, Twitter is keen on keeping their empire independent in the hopes that it continues to grow successfully: " Twitter's executives and board are continuing to work on building a large, independent company. People familiar with the situation said the company believes it can grow into a $100 billion company."

** February 17th, 2011 ** **Post by: Alex Pilon**



Quora is a new social networking site that can be described as a hybrid of Facebook and Wikipedia. This site is a database of Q & A’s that anyone can post and edit. Each change is traced back to the editor’s page where you can learn a little bit about them. Although the site has been growing enormously since its release I don’t think society will take to it like they have with Twitter and Facebook. Sure the site is informational, but it seems to be a tad elitist and doesn’t focus enough on the user, and lets face it, people these days want to be acknowledged individually, to literally be “liked.”

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