I’ve been using Brightkite for quite awhile and honestly I thought that Foursquare and Brightkite would be competitors, but they’re really not. In my opinion Brightkite is purely a geo-location update service that allows you to check-in so people can know where you are and potential meet you out somewhere.

Brightkite is tightly integrated into Google mapping functionality and you can lookup a location and if it’s in Google maps you can check-in at that location. Your friends and fans can be alerted to your location updates and respond. You can also share comments and photos from the locations you’re at as well.

Foursquare is more of a social event and function website. I get the impression that what you’re doing is more important than necessarily where you’re at. Foursquare doesn’t seem to be connected to any mapping service under the hood because if you check-in somewhere for the first time, you have to add the address details and location yourself. I’ve rarely checked in somewhere where I didn’t have to do this, and those times were because I’d already entered the information myself earlier.

With Foursquare you collect points for checking in at various locations and you can earn badges for being the person that checks in to a location more than anyone else. You also leave "Tips" for people on what they should do when they’re at a location.

Post from: EveryJoe

Foursquare Isn’t Competing With Brightkite

In the midst of this disaster, citizens used social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and the like to spread news, update their loved ones and ask for donations. The phone networks were clogged and it was hard to get through. People were recommended to use text messaging instead as it’s easier for SMS to get through the phone network.

From everyday citizens, all the way to major news networks, social networks played a crucial role in getting information around. ABS-CBN’s news channel ANC used their Twitter account to get news out as well as to receive information from people who were in the affected area. People were asked to tweet their location and details so that the network can pass it off to rescue workers.

A picture of Cristine Reyes, a local actress was posted on several web sites to inform people that she and her family were trapped on the roof of their house and seeking assistance. This information was quickly disseminated through Facebook and Twitter and eventually reached the news networks and got in touched with her. Her plea was heard on air.  As of this writing, it’s unsure if she’s already been rescued.

Amidst the tragedy, the collective heroism of everyday people is making a difference. Tweets and Facebook status messages have been copied and reposted. These tweets and messages contain information such as contact nos. for rescue and help hotlines, information about loved ones, information about where to donate relief goods and information as to how overseas people can send their help.

These networks continue to help mobilize people by getting information out to the public and connect people. It seems that these impromptu coalition of friends and strangers are doing a lot more good compared to the machinery that is the government.

I’ve heard of stories of getting rubber boat suppliers in touch with companies willing to buy the boats for use in rescue operations. Several multinational companies have also expressed their intent of lending their helicopters for rescue operations with the information being passed around the social networks.

Stories of friends getting help from people in their networks because their pleas were posted on their Twitter or Facebook pages.
A friend and her family are trapped in the second floor of their home. The have trouble getting through the mobile and land based phone system but thank God, they were able to access the internet. They were able to post some pictures and get word that they’re safe. They have food and water but are still trapped in their home as the water outside their house is still chest deep.

With reports that the gov’t hotlines are clogged or worse not being answered, it’s the tweets and Facebook messages that are becoming lifelines to those affected by the flood.

This is a good example on how technology is being used for greater good. For people such as I who aren’t able to go out and physically help others, the internet and technology is allowing us to do our part to help others.

So, as I finish this post, I ask that you take time to read the stories linked below to see how much devastation Typhoon Ketsansa has brought to the Philippines, in hopes that you might be in a position to help out. There are also links below as to how you can help.
Thanks and may God help and bless those most affected by the storm.

Ongoing report from Inquirer.net

Coast Guard rescuers take LRT to save lives

Donate to Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) victims

Helplines for Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) victims

Donate to the Typhoon victims via the Ayala Foundation USA

Huffington Post report about Typhoon Ketsana

ABS-CBN News Channel Twitter account

Post from: EveryJoe

Citizens Use Tech To Help Typhoon Victims

Maybe I just haven’t spent enough time really playing with it to figure out how it could really change the way I handle social media. I love using twhirl to update my twitter accounts, and I’ve got my FriendFeed account setup in twhirl, but I just don’t use it.

I like the grouping functionality that’s available and the ability to tag certain users as my favorites. I could see using this feature with that handful of friends that I really don’t want to miss any updates from during the day.

How do each of you use FriendFeed? Is it a replacement for other micro-blogging services for you? The one thing I know I don’t want to do and I don’t like is to send out an update that’s just duplicated as the same thing across multiple destinations. To me that’s just noise. Where do I find the balance between using multiple services like this?

I do like some of the tools that FriendFeed has for integrating in with your website and blog. That may be the angle I need to really approach this from to move forward. We’ll see what happens next.

Post from: EveryJoe

I Know FriendFeed is Useful, I Just Don’t Use It

Spending time in the recruiting business and as a manage for other offices, reviewing applications and doing a quick name search for applicants online was just something I did. I was amazed at what I found sometimes, and more amazed at the stories I’ve read.

I know someone who was looking for a job and shortly after the interview wrote on his blog and called the person that interviewed him an “idiot” and doesn’t know if he could ever work for that company. They were so “screwed” up he wasn’t sure if he could really turn them around and fix anything.

I can tell you right now. If he’d interviewed with me, there’s not a chance he would have gotten the job and you can believe I would have let my own network know about my experience as well.

There’s a balance between being “transparent”, the buzz word of choice for social media, and maintaining a healthy inner dialogue as the article stated.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

The Challenge of Social Networks in Business