credit attributed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/briansolis/

In this audio interview (listen to above), I talk with well known technology evangelist, Robert Scoble.  Robert used to be a huge supporter and frequent user of FriendFeed.  However, both of us now feel that the social network is completely dead.  There’s no changes or value coming from the platform anymore which explains the lack of active community participating on the site.  At this point, users just connect their FriendFeed to sync with their Twitter posts.

One of the reasons why I started on FriendFeed was because Scoble supported it. The platforms he recommends or uses are always credible and FriendFeed at one point was synonymous with him.  Robert used it all the time, but he realized, like I did, that when it was bought out by Facebook…this is the end of FriendFeed.  Ultimately, it only worked out in Facebook’s benefit.

During our conversation we talked about almost every mainstream social network and the future of these platforms in today’s online space.  Robert also gives us more of an insight to the constant debates over Facebook’s privacy issues and what the people of the company are saying. He also shares what he knows about Zuckerberg and what his thoughts are.  However, Robert and I both agree that Facebook needs to simplify their privacy strategy.  It’s important to remember that everything you put on the internet is public whether you think its private or not.

We delve into Google Buzz being like FriendFeed and how this social network needs to be cleaned up due to its poor user interface and usability.  We briefly analyzed the future of MySpace and how they are rebranding themselves for the music industry.  (They should have never left this space.)  Finally, we talk about geo location sites and how they really are going to be a game changer.  Users should give them a chance because this is the world we are moving towards.

I really enjoyed our conversation and I hope you enjoy listening to the interview?  What were your thoughts on what Robert shared with us?  His knowledge and inside information really helps gives us all more insight on topics we thought we knew a lot or a little about. Don’t you agree?

Further reading:

How To Stay Connected Without Compromising Privacy & Security

It’s Not About The Which But The What

Google Buzz At This Point Is Google Bust

Do You Give New Social Networks A Chance?

Unless they are really well known, I am hesitant to give new social networks a chance.  I prefer to use them once they have become established.  What’s the point of using something that nobody else is on.  The whole point of a social network is to be social and interact with people. However, if the social network is new, this concept may not happen until it becomes frequently used by the public.

I consider FriendFeed to be that social network that’s in the middle.  It’s used by a good amount of people, but isn’t as desired as Facebook or Twitter.  Although, I recently decided to give FriendFeed a chance for two reasons.  One was because I could sign into  FriendFeed with my Twitter account and the other reason was because I could add my blog feed and raise my blog subscribers through Feedburner. These were the only two reasons why I decided to give this social network in the chance.  In the past, I have felt that there’s no reason to use FriendFeed.  One because it essentially is Twitter as well as Facebook combined.  I couldn’t see the extra value it provided to join.  However these two features were a deciding factor to get on board for me.

Joining new social networks can make you hesitant at times because you are unsure of the benefit it’s providing you.  Usually you want your social network to provide you with quality interaction with people.  That’s why most people join and become members of social media. Saying that I am now apart of the FriendFeed community shocks me because I never thought I would do it.  Eventually, there’s going to be that feature or service provided that invited you to join.  The whole issue is are you going to take that step even they aren’t offering something of interest to you. Chances are you probably aren’t going to.  I can’t blame you either.  If FriendFeed didn’t give me those two features I mention, I would have never have signed up.

FriendFeed is essentially a social network where you can link all of your social networks together in one place which creates a real time feed.   The real time feed feature is cool, but I think it will be incorporated in sites like Facebook and Twitter soon.  It’s just a matter of time!  At this moment though, I think that’s a huge determining factor for those using FriendFeed.  They like the real time notifications.  Hitting refresh on your page to see new updates can be annoying, but in real time, it updates for you.

Maybe I am wrong with my assumption of why people use FriendFeed.  Only you can tell me what you think of it…if you use it.  For that matter, what caused you to join any social network you are apart of?  Was it just because everyone else was doing it?  Are you one to give new social networks a chance or do you prefer to wait until they are mainstream?  I told you my reasons for giving FriendFeed a chance, now it’s time for you to share your experiences.  Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Further reading:

Possible Problems With Social Networks

Facebook Verus Twitter – Who’s In Panic Mode?

10 Tips For Interacting With Social Networks And Technology

Is FriendFeed A Blossoming Social Network?

All over the web right now in the main headlines of social networks is Facebook and its recent acquisition of FriendFeed.  I notice mixed emotions here in regards to how people feel about it.  Some believe it’s Facebook trying to gain the edge over Twitter and some are bothered by the acquisition.  FriendFeed users feel that they no longer can have real time active conversations.  You know what my reaction is to all of this?  FriendFeed is Facebook.  At one time I thought FriendFeed was a combination of both Facebook and Twitter.  Now I see it more like Facebook’s platform.  Granted Facebook payed a lot of many to acquire FriendFeed, but is it affecting Twitter whatsoever?  Who’s really in panic mode here?

Ever since Twitter’s installment, users have been drawn to it due to the simple to use interface and the fact that all you are posting is an update.  Yes, Facebook and FriendFeed have updates, but they incorporate more into their social network.  Twitter is flat out simple.  I say it all the time and can’t stress that enough!  So while Facebook keeps altering its layout (it looks like Twitter) and making acquisitions…Twitter stands by basically unaffected.  Facebook may be earning more money due to their moves, but if you watch TV you will notice that Twitter is by far more mainstream than either Facebook or FriendFeed.

Twitter is used by many businesses and is the preferred way to communicate over the internet.  This is the exact reason why Facebook bought FriendFeed.  What’s really interesting is this battle didn’t pick up speed until the hype around Twitter rapidly increased.  I was one of those people back in December of 2008 that said I would never use Twitter and Facebook was good enough.  The moment I tried it, I was hooked and couldn’t find a social network that performed better!  Now that we are in 2009 and we are constantly seeing a battle between Facebook and Twitter…I see it as panic mode for Facebook.  Twitter does things in a subtle way like changing their layout for their homepage.  Did you hear any complaints about it?  I didn’t, that’s for sure.  However, I have heard plenty of Facebook users complain when they change their layout.

Facebook had their own unique style to them until they tried to compete against Twitter.  In my eyes Twitter never really seemed to be competing with Facebook (even though they are).  Twitter just runs things in a quite manner and doesn’t broadcast everything like Facebook does.  Since Facebook is always announcing changes and companies they buy, it seems like they are always trying to one up Twitter.  It comes off as a state of panic when they do this.  Yet, Twitter remains calm and keeps their users and constantly grows each day.  Facebook has a large user base too, they just try to hard which makes me believe they are worried that Twitter is going to take them over.

I don’t think either company will ever take over the other.  They both provide a different and unique experience and should just stick to that.  Be your own brand!  In my opinion, I don’t think there’s anything Facebook could do that would make Twitter panic.  If you were to ask me which social network I could use and I could only use one, it would be Twitter. I’ll give you 5 reasons why.

1.  I’ve met new people through Twitter and those relationships I have made are better than reconnecting with high school classmates on Facebook.

2. I now have two business partners thanks to Twitter and couldn’t do that on Facebook unless I spent countless hours searching their database.

3.  Twitter has many users that believe in reciprocity.  People will follow you if you follow them.  On Facebook, people only really add you if they know you.  That makes it difficult to meet new people.

4. Twitter is a news feed.  You don’t need to read the paper, just listen to what your followers have to say.

5. Twitter has less going on and is very basic that even someone new to social media wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by it.

So there you have it.  Facebook vs Twitter.  I still think Facebook is constantly in a panic, but I don’t think either social network is going anywhere.  They both have their purpose and provide solid experiences for users.  Which of these social networks is your favorite?  Do you think Twitter makes Facebook panic?  Do you think that Facebook buying FriendFeed was necessary?

Further reading:

Is FriendFeed A Blossoming Social Network?

Facebook Affecting Business Opportunities

Facebook CEO Joins Twitter

Top 10 Reasons To Follow Someone Who Follows You On Twitter

Facebook Connect Increases Participation

You know lately on people’s blog posts, I keep hearing about FriendFeed.    I don’t understand what the hype is about though.  I have looked into it and tried to see what people like about.  However, I come away with this conclusion – It’s Facebook and Twitter combined into one.  Am I right or am I not seeing the full potential here? 

I really don’t seem what FriendFeed offers that I don’t get from Facebook or Twitter.  For me to engage and participate in a new social network, there has to be value for me.  The number one question I’ll ask myself is - what’s the benefit of using this?  If I don’t see any, I move on.  It took me a while to see the benefit from Twitter until I signed up for an account back in December.  However, at this point in time, FriendFeed doesn’t seem like a benefit to me.  I wouldn’t mind someone proving me wrong, but you are going to have to do a lot of convincing. 

The persuasion that won’t work for me is - you will make connections using FriendFeed.  You make connections on any social network and Twitter is the best for business connections.  Besides, anyone on FriendFeed I guarantee you is on Twitter.  It’s funny because updates I see on Twitter sometimes say “via FriendFeed”.  So those people are using both.  Why?  I have no clue. 

FriendFeed has the status updates built in like every other social network.  It also has the ability to add friends, photos, and more.  Yea…seems like Facebook and Twitter.  I’m not seeing the point!  Instead of calling it FriendFeed about about TwitFace.  Yea, that has a good ring to it!

I’m not bashing FriendFeed, but this is a topic that I have been thinking about and was hoping someone could come along and tell me what’s so great about this service?  It doesn’t even get the media attention like you see Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace get.  What is FriendFeed doing that’s keeping them afloat and making them a popular place to network?

I hope someone out there has answers and if you have FriendFeed, I’d really like to hear what you have to say.  Do you think FriendFeed will soon be talked about by the media?  Will it keep growing?  I keep seeing posts about new features, yet is it really providing value to their service?

Further reading:

The Social Networks And Technology Impact

Facebook Affecting Business Opportunities

Social Networks – Who Came First?

Social Networks: Who’s The Top Dog?