I’ve been stewing for a few weeks over whether to start blogging again. After a 2-year hiatus from http://www.hawaiielectionwatch.org, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit myself to the task of producing something on a regular basis. Looking back on the amount of effort that was required left me apoplectic! However, after actively jumping into the world of FaceBook and Twitter during December, I concluded that it might be worth a go.
I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard about Web 2.0 and social networking, it left me cold. My life didn’t seem interesting enough nor was I particularly interested in what other geeks were doing to get and send electronic updates. As a semi-regular participant in the monthly Bytemarks lunches, I had been bombarded with the virtues of Twitter and other Web 2.0 novelties. I created an account for myself in November, but until the 12/26/08 Oahu blackout, the value hadn’t hit home.
There I was, sitting in the dark without a radio. Granted, I could have gone down to the car and listened to the radio but it quickly became apparent that it was unnecessary. From all over the island, around the state, and across the US, reports came in about who had power, where to get more information, who was saying what, and what the officials were saying. By utilizing the #hipower tag, I was able to quickly “filter in” reports. And, due to the sheer number of tweets, it was easy enough to validate any claims being made. It was like a critical mass of information had been achieved that was clarifying everything before my eyes. I was sold.
Today, more than 2 weeks after the event, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is just the tip of the iceberg. A real revolution is happening and I’m going to be an active participant. Please come back for my regular updates on what I’ve learned, who is teaching me, and where this is going.
I’m still not that interesting but some of the stuff I observe surely is.
So That's Life? 
Are You Experienced?
01/23/2009Twittermania came to television last night as Andy Bumatai (@Andy_Bumatai for Tweeters out there) broadcast a show dedicated to Twitter and social networking. Guests on the show included tech businessman Lincoln Jacobe, Internet marketing specialist Arleen Anderson (@AlohaArleen), and Twitter guru Deborah Micek (@CoachDeb).
What really surprised me was the audience turnout. Now I’m fairly new to Twitter and haven’t had the opportunity to meet many fellow Tweeters IRL (in real life). There were approximately 30 (I should have taken an actual count) who showed up to watch the taping and they filled every available seat. It was like a geek truckstop and it was quite a sight to see everyone sitting there with their mobile devices, tweeting and snapping pictures to post.
The taping went by very quickly because it is shot in real time. Commercial breaks allow for a pause but there are no re-takes and Andy really keeps things moving. Thirty minutes went by in a flash.
What struck me as being significant was how easy it was to move from online personalities to face to face interaction. I definitely didn’t know (follow in Twitterese) at least half of the people there, but it was second nature to introduce myself and my online persona, @avharris. Before the evening was over, I’d guess that I’d requested “follows” from nearly all of the attendees. Naturally, I’m hoping that they will reciprocate and follow me but it isn’t really that important in the scheme of things.
As it pertains to the theme of my blog, I was exposed to a widening world of online personalities. I heard stories of potential blockbuster online opportunities as well as vignettes of people who were surprised that an event in their life had become common knowledge. I saw that a personal connection can be made from the initial online ovetures. I also saw the power of celebrity and how a small community of Twitter users in Hawaii can potentially demonstrate the power of effective social networing to the public at large.
Posted in Blogroll, commentary, tech | Tagged Andy Bumatai, commentary, tech, Twitter | 2 Comments »