Handout: I compiled this from the contributions of all of the other panelists and wrote explanations except where noted. So, credit for what’s included goes to them and criticism for poor explanations goes to me.

Our panel wanted to get everyone on the same page at tonight’s PRSA Beyond Blogging Seminar, so we collaborated to list some of the fundamentals of social media. In the comments, please tell us: How did we do?

COMPANIES/SITES
Blogger Blogger is probably the most accessible (but arguably least sophisticated) blogging platform. you can set up a free blog in moments, and share YOUR ideas and expertise with the world. Other platforms include TypePad, WordPress and Moveable Type.

Brightcove higher end (higher resolution, back-end for corp. sites, etc.) online video hosting

Digg one of the most commonly mentioned social bookmarking sites

Google Reader “An inbox for blogs you read” looks like an email inbox, alerts you when your RSS subscriptions post new content. one of many RSS readers: Newsgator, Bloglines, etc.

Facebook a little more freewheeling & controversial but can have powerful business uses

LinkedIn Strictly Business social networking, a little static, like a Rolodex. answer questions, recommend peers

Ning a tool and space for individuals to build their own social networks around any subject

Second Life popular virtual world run by Linden Labs

Techmeme “what’s hot” tool that aggregates top tech news stories for any given moment.

Twitter 140 character “short messages” bulletin board, deceptively powerful social networking tool

YouTube online video hosting and sharing with community and social networking features

Wikipedia uses the group editing/crowdsourcing power of a wiki

NEW:
Slashdot

Pew Internet Life: great source for stats and numbers of web/social media use

LIWC Linguistic Index Word Count: Tool Lois mentioned that evaluates writing… parses our degree of socialibility, etc.

SNCR Scociety for New Communications Research

Some other names you may hear: Communispace, Prospero, LiveWorld, NetroCity, Touchgraph, World of Warcraft, Club Penguin, Seesmic, Utterz, del.icio.us, ma.gnolia, StumbleUpon…

MORE INFORMATION
Common Craft “In Plain Language” Videos on Social Media
Shel Israel’s SAP Research Report on Social Media’s Impact on Business & Culture
The Machine is Us/ Using Us video

A Vision of Students Today

PANELISTS:
CC Chapman, The Advance Guard