Profile Tune-Ups

Every so often I get the urge to go through my online profiles and do a little tidying up. Taking an inventory of where I exist online is overwhelming, considering all the upkeep that needs to happen, and I am by far not as connected as I could be. Right now, you can find me on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Wikispaces, Delicious, Yammer, and more that I don’t even remember I have accounts to.

Some I use more than others. Some require more time than I often have to give. Some are so cool that I don’t care how long it takes, I just love them.

How do people manage? All the passwords and login names–I still haven’t master the art of this. Each platform gears to a different audience and therefore requires different content from me. Keeping track of who’s keeping track of me is exhausting. Mitch Joel described it pretty well, saying Facebook is your past, MySpace is your present, and Linkedin is your future.  I’d almost entirely agree with that, except maybe label MySpace as my music provider. But nonetheless, they’re all important.

Twitter is sometimes my feedreader, Delicious is often my research partner, and Wikispaces is my collaborator. My bet is Yammer will soon be my water cooler…but the verdict is still out.

So knowing all this, I take a few hours every so often and truly geek out. Tweaking settings and changing profile pictures and polishing everything up just so. Just the way my OCD-brain likes it in that particular moment.

And all is right with the world again.  

* Cartoon by Oliver Widder @ Geekandpoke.typepad.com

Do you fit the Status Quo?

Ever hear a patient (or not so patient) parent urge a small child to “use your words”? It’s good advice. And not just for those of us snowballing into a temper tantrum. Lately, it seems like many people are using their words. But in a way much different than traditional communications. At a time where social networks are thriving–words, sentences, even punctuation, are becoming this digital world’s currency.

Don’t believe me? I would bet, if you’re reading this blog, that you could name at least 5 of your Facebook friends that take ultimate pride in their daily Status updates. There are whole websites dedicated to the funniest, smartest, most outrageous status’. Maybe you are one of them. I certainly am. There is nothing better than when I can post a quip or half sentence that makes me smile–and if it makes others smile, all the better! If you’re not one of the yet, the Star has some great tips on getting started.

When you think about it, isn’t Friendfeed and twitter close to the equivalent of showing off your bling in the form of links, breaking news or sarcastic banter. “See how smart I am, how funny I can be, watch me count down to my vacation or wedding or ‘Half Birthday’”…

Which frankly, don’t get me started on how annoying countdowns are. How cliché, how pedestrian…;) Because of course with every symbol of status, there are those of us who will tear it apart and judge to no end.

So choose you words carefully, your entire social network is watching…and casting a judging eye.