July 24, 2007
Come Let Us Network Together
Missionary Geek: Explaining Social Networks like Facebook, LinkedIn
Facebook? LinkedIn? MySpace? What's all the hoopla about? Trying to explain the power of social networks is a bit of a challenge. I'm becoming convinced that they will become the way missionaries will communicate to supporters 5 years from now.The preceding paragraph from a fellow missionary blogger got me to thinking and experimenting with several different social networking and web 2.0 sites. Below is a list of the networking services I use. If you use any of them, feel free to add me to your list.
Orkut
If you live in Brazil, or know Brazilians, chances are you have an Orkut account. Truthfully, that is the ONLY reason I have one. Among the social networking sites, Orkut ranks near the bottom (somewhat different from what we have come to expect from Google--which owns Orkut). They only allow twelve photos, and the system is now full of spam.
Orkut did recently take a giant step forward by adding an RSS feed capability--but for some reason you can only add five RSS feeds. For some of us, that is not very many.
Still, if you need to be in contact with Brazilians, there is no better way than Orkut (or or KOOTCH, as it is pronounced here). For some reason, this was the networking site that took off here, and Brazilians are passionate about it. By browsing communities created for the seminary and the camp, I have been able to get valuable information about what people are thinking and how they react to certain programs.
Also, If you want to get word to somebody here in Brazil, don't send and e-mail. You will be much better off leaving them a scrap on Orkut.
This is my favorite. It is slick, smart, versatile, and fun. I have been able to reconnect with many people from the US using Facebook, and even make some new contacts.
Linkedin is geared towards professionals looking to make contacts with other professionals in the same or similar fields. It also aspires to serve as a place where potential employees can meet up with potential employers. I like Linkedin for its clear portrayal of first, second, and third degree contacts.
Jaiku
Jaiku, Twitter, and Pownce (see below) are more "micro-blogging" services than social networking sites. I have included them here, however, because they do serve in creating social networking, and because they can be easily integrated into social networking services like Facebook and Orkut through RSS. If you have been following this blog recently, you may have noticed that I was able to post news from camp as it happened via Jaiku using my cell phone.
Much like Jaiku, this site lets you post quick messages for your friends (and others) to see. I have been unable to get the cell-phone feature to work, but it has a neat integration with Google Talk.
Pownce
This is a relatively new service, but with many possibilities. Currently it is still "invitation only". I have six invitations, so if you are interested, leave me a comment at the end of this post.
It will be interesting to see how social networking pans out, and the effect it has on missionary communication. Will they replace the traditional prayer letter? Will prayer requests on Wednesday night begin with the words "I read on Andrew's Facebook that..."?
Who knows.
Posted by Andrew on July 24, 2007 3:20 PM.
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