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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Twitter Meets Social Networking

What two things could be better than PB & J, Oreos and ice cream, and creamer in your coffee? Shout'em.
Shout'em takes the micro-blogging phenomena of Twitter (which, if you have spent more than 10 minutes in the Fridge, you know we get a little too geeked up about) and the social networking of Nings into one little happy family that easily has the potential to explode. Basically, you get to create your own micro-blogging network. How powerful could this little booger be? You can create micro-blogging networks for classes, conferences...the list goes on and on and on....
The biggest difference between shout'em and Twitter, which brings more of it's Ning side out, is that you have to go to the website to see the updates. Time will tell if a) that's a bad thing or b) it makes a difference. I think that's my biggest knock on Nings is that I have to go there to get info (if that's not the whiniest comment I've ever made...). I have created a shout'em network for Nebraska Educators, so tell any that you know. I could see this one especially blowing up during the NETA Conference, although it also wouldn't surprise me if they created a separate one specifically for the conference (see NETA Social Network Chair Everett).
A special thanks to Steve Dembo for pointing shout'em out (Hey Steve, like the picture? Point of emphasis from you!). Check out Tweach42, his network.

2 comments:

Teach42 said...

Well, yes! I do like the picture. Want a closer look at the fridge though :) Hard to see some of the pictures on it! Is that really yours?

As to having to go to the site to participate, ShoutEm claims that an API is coming. If so, then you'll be able to use sites like Ping.FM in the near future, or integrate it into Friendfeed and such. Keep in mind, the site hasn't even officially launched yet!

Unknown said...

That is good to know. I figured that, being the pre-beta, this was only the starting point. And it's a great starting point.
Thanks for checking in. And yes, that was my fridge before my son could crawl. Now we have letters that talk. Slight change... :)