March 30, 2009 at 3:53 am
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Are We Wasting Too Much Time Social Networking?
Brad M. McGehee
DBA
March 30, 2009 at 4:17 am
I appreciate the effort and sharing on SN. I have been thinking in what ways could it be applicable to our company.
But I see there is a psychological balance to be maintained, the onus on the user.
Unlike instant messaging which I banned, I am still open to SN. Using an email address is difficult these days, what with spam and targeted email attacks.
Besides, it is also a nightmare to create, maintain and secure a public website within the company's DMZ. The ones who can budget a $200,000 firewall are the ones whose business is really the Net.
March 30, 2009 at 4:45 am
Technology related professionals are often with less chances to go to meet some one at home and to regularly meet or call old colleagues and class fellows dispersed at various parts of world. I found such social networks useful to keep in touch with old colleagues and class fellows. Helps to be in touch and spread your network thus chances to learn and collaborate. I think we should not abandon social netwroks even at cost of some time spend on it.
DBDigger Microsoft Data Platform Consultancy.
March 30, 2009 at 4:55 am
Brad,
Great editorial!
When I find I'm spending too much time on it, I cut back. I try to limit it to 10 mins a day.
I think social networking is good but you need a balance!
Mark
March 30, 2009 at 5:15 am
I think the problem is that the tools make it easy to get immersed in the "social" more than the networking. There's always a social/people aspect of networking, but I agree only so many hours in the week and social networking takes time away from something else.
I'm curious about how much/why LinkedIn became a burden?
March 30, 2009 at 6:22 am
Yeah.
March 30, 2009 at 6:24 am
I'm on LinkedIn, Plaxo & Facebook, but I probably don't open them more than once a week at the most and then for only a few minutes. Twitter on the other hand... that got out of control for a little while. Now I'm only opening it for a few minutes each day. I've found it very useful when I have a quick technical question, but trying to haunt the place to see if others have technical questions you can help with just takes WAY too much time.
It's a tough balance. I want to maintain my contacts, but I kind of want to keep my job too. The social stuff can and will suffer because of that.
Good editorial.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
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March 30, 2009 at 6:28 am
It depends on Whether we need SQL networking or Social Networking..I use it as SQL Networking when I am in the office and Social Networking when at home.
Vivek
March 30, 2009 at 6:37 am
I'm on linked in, but just use it as an address book to keep up with people. It doesn't take too much time. As far as facebook and twitter, I refuse to use them because of the time overhead they require.
March 30, 2009 at 6:41 am
Fortunately, this is a non-issue. I have never had any sort of desire to engage in social networking, and quite honestly I shudder at the thought of it.
March 30, 2009 at 6:48 am
My dad always told me that too much of anything, even a good thing, can be bad for you. I can't think of any example that is more applicable than social networking. As with everything, in moderation, there are certain benefits to social networking. Networks such as LinkedIn or SQLServerCentral.com are excellent examples of professional networks that are value-added. I certainly don't wish to waste my time on inane chatter or on social aspects that are complete time killers. I don't socialize enough with my family and friends face-to-face, so why should I spend that time on Twitter?
Professional networking, with well-chosen contacts (not with everyone possible as I've seen many do) has measurable benefits to advance knowledge and career opportunities. Reading about the daily comings and goings of folks whom I really don't know does nothing to enrich my life or that of my family and friends. Time is a precious commodity of which I need to be judicious in spending.
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March 30, 2009 at 6:51 am
I only use facebook on my phone and only log on when I have "dead" time as well. I can't remember the last time I logged on from an actual computer.
March 30, 2009 at 7:08 am
Starting a user group last year, I had no idea how much SN I would be getting roped into...but I too rarely check FB, and I just refuse to twitter. I watched for one day, and was completely bored. If I have questions about SQL, I know who to get in touch with to find the answers directly.
Now, my boss wants to start a FB and Twitter for our software company for nurses. And am doing my best to steer him away from this because I know it will end up being me who has to maintain all that.
SQL Babe
March 30, 2009 at 7:09 am
If I could afford it, I'd hire a ghostwriter!
I haven't yet fine-tuned my social networking involvement. I got into it with a few clear goals in mind: give back to the community and advocate for my consulting practice and for volunteer causes, connect with past colleagues and connect with similar new professionals to develop in my career.
SN has not been easy to channel. I've been thinking about creating multiple accounts to separate out the various goals, but then I loathe the need to maintain them.
Sure SN poses challenges for me. But I'm not ready to give up yet.
Bill Nicolich: www.SQLFave.com.
Daily tweet of what's new and interesting: AppendNow
March 30, 2009 at 7:13 am
IMHO, the phenomenon we call Social Networking is analogous to moving your house into a neighborhood where EVERYONE next door and across the street from you is either family, a close friend, or someone wanting to call you friend. Although this could initially seem like a good idea, we all know what it feels like to have a friend or relative over to the house for an extended period of time (like more than a few days). Ah heck, let's make it an even 3-week stay. Is that enough bonding time for ya?
These networks we're establishing on the web not only place us in a very accessible position, but now we've gone and given everyone in our 'neighborhood' a key to the house, the photo album, our journals, and many times, our diaries. Again, this could be a good thing if only in moderation, but... Human nature dictates we can't recognize the town called Moderation until we've traveled a few miles beyond its borders.
Playing SN is like that "one more beer" before we're expected back at the house. It's like the gas station we should have stopped in a few miles back BEFORE the car came to a choking-and-coughing stop.
Seriously though, this completely nonproductive use of our time can be entertaining for a little while, but I'm old school. I'd rather use the phone to talk to folks or stop in physically and unexpectedly, in person at my friend's doorstep and ring the buzzer just long enough for it to become annoying.
When it comes to personal relationships, I'd like to try behaving like a real person instead of a username in a glorified chat room.
Mike
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