Posted on by Frank - Follow me on Twitter

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

CLICK HERE AND TAKE THE POLL

Granted I do write about things going on with social networks and technology, plus give you tips for interacting with these mediums, but everyone has their main source that they go to.  What’s yours?  There are so many websites on the internet talking about social networks and technology, but who do you trust?  Honestly, I will say I believe all of them are pretty much the same with reporting information.  I don’t think any of them really provide an additional experience when you visit their site.  When I write a new post,  I want to write my opinion on the topic, not just write the facts.  Readers do like when people provide their input…it leads to more discussions and shows you made the article your own.  Although, the big name reporters on the internet don’t really do this often.  So, who do I feel separates themselves?

If I was choosing one, it would be an easy decision.  Not only am I subscribed to their blog, but they really give me a broad outlook on social media and technology.  That would be none other than The Next Web.  They are very popular among readers, but I believe their style is different! Why you may ask?  Well, most people do one post per day.  That’s how it usually works.  The Next Web will do 4-5 posts per day so you get a run down of almost everything.  If one post doesn’t catch your attention, another one will.  I also like the fact that they add humor into their posts.  If there’s something with technology that was released and they think it’s a joke…they will make it perfectly clear!  For me, that’s offering something different than the competition.

Web 2.0 is a constantly growing world that we live in.  There’s always something new to report and I always look forward to learning what’s new!  Now, I’m sure that since I told you who I felt the best source was for Web 2.0, you are going to want to know who the worst source is…am I right?  Well, there really isn’t a bad source, they just don’t add anything extra to the mix in my opinion.  For example, here are some sites that report what’s happening with social networks and technology: Mashable, TechCrunch, Engadget, Slashdot.  Yes, there are quite a bit more, but these are the ones that strike me first anytime I think about Web 2.0.  They are probably the most well known Web 2.0 sites on the internet.  Although, they all do the same thing and report “news” with no personal opinions or thoughts incorporated into the posts.  I don’t feel like they are inviting me to participate in the conversation.  I believe offering questions at the end of a post is essential for inviting readers to give their thoughts.  Granted people still comment often on these sites because they are really well known, but ask yourself – what’s different about them?

I think whenever you are talking about social networks and technology, you need to give your thoughts on the topic to give yourself a voice on the issue.  If you don’t do that, you are like everyone else in the industry.  It’s like this with anything you do…you need people to recognize who you are when they see you because you made it a point to get yourself spotted.  I know there will be those who don’t agree with a thing I said here, but that’s fine.  This is how it is suppose to be.  I give my thoughts and you either agree or disagree.  In my opinion, that’s Web 2.0 working at its best!  I try to make my site engaging and not just spit out the latest news because anyone can do that.  The key takeaway here is to make Web 2.0 your own!

How do you feel about these Web 2.0 websites not adding in their own thoughts?  Have you ever read the content that these sites produce?  Do you agree with me that The Next Web is tops among the others?

Further reading:

Why Do People Need Tech Help?

Do You Give New Social Networks A Chance?

10 Tips For Interacting With Social Networks And Technology

Are Social Networks And Technology Putting An End To Verbal Communication?

Posted in Social Networks, Technology | Comments (4)