A+ Websites...Social Media and Networking.

I always spend a lot of time trawling around the Internet, trying to find sites, that deliver the best content, easy to find and a site that you know you want to come back to. So just thought I'd share some of my top bookmarks. Some of them are Australian sites, some are global. This is my first installment....

SOCIAL NETWORKING.

1. Twitter

I'm sure nearly all have you have heard of twitter, its been plastered all over the news, radio and linked with a lot of sites. Twitter is an easy way to network and keep updated or share tips or links or even thoughts with fellow twitterer's. You can search and "follow" people that interest you, so that you receive their Twitter updates or "Tweets" as they are referred to. Vice Versa, other people can search and choose to follow you, and read what you post. Now before you think that this is just another additive time consuming site such as Facebook and Myspace and so on. While it sure is addictive, it isn't full of intensive profile information like these sites, but is simply a 140Character Status updates. Saying what your doing or what you thinking or what your loving now.
I love using twitter to network with other people in the design and VA business, and i find its an awesome source of information, tips and other resources.

2. Facebook.

Not sure if this really needs an explanation, but facebook allows you to search and connect with old school friends, work colleagues and all different kinds of people you know. Compared to Myspace where you could essentially add just anyone Facebook is more restrictive, only making a friend connection once the person you have requested confirms this. This also gives you more control over your profile and who can see it. Facebook is got a ton of great apps, well more than a ton, some junky and some just plain addictive. It's also a great photo sharing website, allowing you to tag other people in your photo's and a message is sent to them, advising them of this and allows them to view the picture. Facebook also is becoming an essential social networking tool for business's, with Fan Page's and Advertising pages able to be built to promote your company or your website.

3. Digg

This is probably my bookmarking site of choice. Primarily because its familiarity is more widespread throughout the Internet, and built on the common principal that you either love it (Digg it) or you don't. it allows you to see how many other people are 'diggin' the page you have chosen, and also view top dug pages, from various categories.


4. Blogger

After playing around with various blog websites, including wordpress, xanga, iblog, live journal and so on. I've come to love blogger. I'm a fan of the choice of free webpages and utilities, versus website that request you to pay for essentially the same service. I mean why not get something for free. Anyways, Blogger is highly customisable, which i LOVE. Making something unique and customised just the way I like it, really does it for me. There is all the usual facilities you can find in wordpress. I'm just really new to all this Blog world, so i don't know too much about it. But I'm looking to sinking my teeth in! :)

5. Flixster

I love my movies, who doesn't? There is nothing like sitting down with a drink and some munchies and watching a great film. But what about when you want to know a little bit more about a film, or see what other people recommend. OR recommend a film you just watched so that more people can see what a great film it was. Welcome Flixster. Flixster enables you to rate films, write reviews and share them with your friends and the community. it has fun quiz's and games to make it all that more enjoyable. Or even just use it to search for what other people are saying about a film you think you might want to see.

6. Blip.FM

Love music, why not be your own DJ, and cast the songs your spinning and loving to those on your networks. Blip.FM is integrable with Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, Livejournal and a heap more as well as the function to be fully customisable by you and your friends. Tell everyone what your listening too!

7. Yahoo!7 Answers

This site is a essential bookmark, Ive used it a ton of times, when you just want a handy tip from someone, or just need that extra help and don't know who to ask. Why not ask everyone.
Here you can read questions and if you can help out post your answer. Or got something to ask, Post a question and check back a bit later, and see what tips and advice others have given you. I love this site, and fully recommend it.

8. DailyBooth

This one is defiantly for those amongst us that is less camera shy. Instead of posting a status message, or a blog or so on. Post a picture of you everyday. Its kinda a way of recording and compiling your life, in the story of pictures. see the way your looks change, record and remember those emotions, this site interested me and easily made it into my bookmarked list.

9. Mashable

For all of us that are social media and network savvy, we love to keep updated on whats happening with the networks, whats new and hot and what isn't. Mashable is all of this and more, providing you with social media news, resources, lists and tips. Its defiantly full of lots of interesting information and links.

10. Witty Profiles

Not sure if this really fits in with Social Media and networking, but i have loved this site for a long time. it's very teenager based, but is full of quotes from light and humorous to deep and in depth. I love coming to this site and just indulging myself in reading the quotes and feeling the feelings behind them.

Have you got some that you love and I've missed? tell me about them :) I love to explore sites.