Thing 11: Social Media

Call me "old" but I still scan the headlines in local and national news sources for the latest in breaking news and scandals. The difference is now I do this mostly online.


For this thing I

1. Watched “Social Media in Plain English” from the Common Craft Show.


2. I did the Mixx Tour and looked at the Mixx Home Page. What I did not like about the stories listed on Mixx is that there was not enough information. I would be attracted to a headline click on it , click on view story, and it would contain just little more then the headline. I want answers not more questions.


Next I checked out the Digg Tour and Digg Home Page. Well I must say I kind of dig Digg! It was fun, entertaining, and informative. I could see myself joining Digg when I have some extra time.


On to Newsvine Home Page and Newsvine Welcome. Looks great, interesting stories, but... here it is afternoon and I can't get view any of the stories. Is the problem at the library or the site? Other websites are loading fine for me. Well maybe I will try this site again another time.


Last but not least Reddit Home Page and Reddit Intro. This started out poor when I clicked on photos there was an accident photo that someone posted with a "funny" caption. I find that in poor taste... at least the comments were serious filled with the details of the accident and how it was a miracle the driver wasn't killed. Anyway then I clicked on another story listed under Pic and Images and read a great story from Urbanite Magazine http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/sub.cfm?issueID=70&sectionID=4&articleID=1174


that was about "a man, a vision, and a swimming pool he built in his garage". Very interesting.
Overall I am not impressed with Reddit. I just don't like the format.

3. I read several stories from http://www.nytimes.com/
and http://news.bbc.co.uk/
but I didn't have much luck with the Washington Post. I refuse to be forced into signing up for a free subscription just to read a few stories from the website.

Have you ever read a story/item as a result of seeing it on one of these sites?
Absolutely...that is why time flies and it is dangerous for me to visit these sites... hours can be lost since inquiring minds want to know!!!