Comments on: LinkedIn: Old-School Social Network Isn’t Short of Fans http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/ Rebooting the workforce Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:27:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Alana Post http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302855 Alana Post Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:26:31 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302855 To placate Chris, let me begin by saying that I have no affiliation with LinkedIn aside from simply being a user with a relatively small network. That said, I think it's the best professional-grade OSN/online social network out there. It discourages frivolous connections, which increases the value of one's network exponentially. Although its focus is more serious (mature?) than other sites, it's still great to spy on former coworkers and periodically track how many hops you are from your "dream job". I also use it as my resume (web and print), which isn't really best-practice but still saves time that would otherwise be spent maintaining a NeoOffice file somewhere locally in addition to a webpage remotely. Lastly, I really like LinkedIn's design. It's beautiful, standards-based, and incorporates a ton of microformats (which every other relatively popular OSN ignores). To placate Chris, let me begin by saying that I have no affiliation with LinkedIn aside from simply being a user with a relatively small network.

That said, I think it’s the best professional-grade OSN/online social network out there. It discourages frivolous connections, which increases the value of one’s network exponentially. Although its focus is more serious (mature?) than other sites, it’s still great to spy on former coworkers and periodically track how many hops you are from your “dream job”.

I also use it as my resume (web and print), which isn’t really best-practice but still saves time that would otherwise be spent maintaining a NeoOffice file somewhere locally in addition to a webpage remotely.

Lastly, I really like LinkedIn’s design. It’s beautiful, standards-based, and incorporates a ton of microformats (which every other relatively popular OSN ignores).

]]> By: friarminor http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302759 friarminor Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:48:35 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302759 Can't really help getting punk'd by bogus comments in this open net, Chris and like with all contrived things, it really is a pest. But I also am patient enough to see thru the clutter and find real gems within the network. 1 in 20 or 50 (don't even have that network number) is all worth it. Best. alain www.mor.ph Can’t really help getting punk’d by bogus comments in this open net, Chris and like with all contrived things, it really is a pest.

But I also am patient enough to see thru the clutter and find real gems within the network. 1 in 20 or 50 (don’t even have that network number) is all worth it.

Best.
alain
http://www.mor.ph

]]> By: djacobs http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302481 djacobs Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:58:19 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302481 @justelise If you didn't compare it to something people know, they would have a hard time getting an idea of what LinkedIn is about. @justelise
If you didn’t compare it to something people know, they would have a hard time getting an idea of what LinkedIn is about.

]]> By: Chris Bootdale http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302479 Chris Bootdale Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:35:29 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302479 Forget rolodex... LinkedIn is nothing more than Monster.com with a social networking twist. When you're not looking for a job, where's the value? Let me guess. There will be 5 positive LinkedIn comments to follow this one. Check out any article ever written about LinkedIn. It's common practice at LinkedIn HQ to have employees sit around and post bogus comments to refute anything negative being said about the company. Don't believe the hype. Forget rolodex… LinkedIn is nothing more than Monster.com with a social networking twist. When you’re not looking for a job, where’s the value?

Let me guess. There will be 5 positive LinkedIn comments to follow this one. Check out any article ever written about LinkedIn. It’s common practice at LinkedIn HQ to have employees sit around and post bogus comments to refute anything negative being said about the company.

Don’t believe the hype.

]]> By: Avonelle Lovhaug http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302467 Avonelle Lovhaug Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:36:49 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302467 I like LinkedIn, but I think it shines best when documenting existing connections and helping me to reconnect with people I've lost touch with. Also, it has had some performance and stability issues lately...I hope they continue to improve in that area. I like LinkedIn, but I think it shines best when documenting existing connections and helping me to reconnect with people I’ve lost touch with. Also, it has had some performance and stability issues lately…I hope they continue to improve in that area.

]]> By: Fine Print » Blog Archive » Toyotas: Robots In De Skies http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302462 Fine Print » Blog Archive » Toyotas: Robots In De Skies Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:02:09 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302462 [...] hardly call LinkedIn an old-school social network, as referenced by Web Worker Daily. Been using it since it started, it’s free, led to some great freelance gigs and I’ve [...] [...] hardly call LinkedIn an old-school social network, as referenced by Web Worker Daily. Been using it since it started, it’s free, led to some great freelance gigs and I’ve [...]

]]> By: John Carson http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302459 John Carson Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:34:56 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302459 Brian, How do you see it not being interactive? I can see who is linked to my immediate connections and ask for a referral, based on trust. After (hopefully) providing a good service or business to that former stranger, they can then provide a testimonial for my work for others to see. I feel that I'm interacting with people on there all the time. Throw in the questions and answers section, and the job search facilities (with the option to apply through LinkedIn) and it becomes very easy to find a potential employer or contract. Cheers, John. Brian,

How do you see it not being interactive?

I can see who is linked to my immediate connections and ask for a referral, based on trust. After (hopefully) providing a good service or business to that former stranger, they can then provide a testimonial for my work for others to see.

I feel that I’m interacting with people on there all the time. Throw in the questions and answers section, and the job search facilities (with the option to apply through LinkedIn) and it becomes very easy to find a potential employer or contract.

Cheers,
John.

]]> By: Brian http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302454 Brian Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:25:53 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302454 I agree with another comment about LinkedIn being a glorified Rolodex. It does have a purpose, but it is not very interactive. This article references somebody who had multiple job offers in hours, but that person was probably the 41 year old who makes $109,000 a year. They have tons of experience and have no worries in finding a job. What about the people who are 25, 27, 32? Are they going to have job offers in hours? Not likely. I think that is a limitation of LinkedIn and its format. Brian http://www.konnects.com I agree with another comment about LinkedIn being a glorified Rolodex. It does have a purpose, but it is not very interactive. This article references somebody who had multiple job offers in hours, but that person was probably the 41 year old who makes $109,000 a year. They have tons of experience and have no worries in finding a job. What about the people who are 25, 27, 32? Are they going to have job offers in hours? Not likely.

I think that is a limitation of LinkedIn and its format.

Brian
http://www.konnects.com

]]> By: Dan McComb http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302453 Dan McComb Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:21:01 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302453 <a href="http://biznik.com" rel="nofollow">Biznik</a> differs sharply from LinkedIn in two ways: one, it's designed to connect small business owners, not employees. And two, Biznik's real focus is on bringing members together face-to-face, not just online, at member-hosted events. That's why it works so well in Seattle, where it started, because members are hosting like 70 events a month there now and that adds up to a lot of business getting passed around. Biznik differs sharply from LinkedIn in two ways: one, it’s designed to connect small business owners, not employees. And two, Biznik’s real focus is on bringing members together face-to-face, not just online, at member-hosted events. That’s why it works so well in Seattle, where it started, because members are hosting like 70 events a month there now and that adds up to a lot of business getting passed around.

]]> By: Jake http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302450 Jake Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:09:33 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302450 I have joined linkedin, but I really haven't taken advantage of it's features yet. It definitely seems like a great concept for finding new jobs, or finding networking contacts for current jobs, but I guess I don't need too much of either one yet! Jake NoteScribe: Premier <a HREF="http://www.notescribe.net" rel="nofollow">Note Taking Software</A> I have joined linkedin, but I really haven’t taken advantage of it’s features yet. It definitely seems like a great concept for finding new jobs, or finding networking contacts for current jobs, but I guess I don’t need too much of either one yet!

Jake
NoteScribe: Premier Note Taking Software

]]> By: John Carson http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302447 John Carson Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:42:48 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302447 LI has been my main contacts network since it started, and I use it every day to get answers for my job (social media) and to liaise with people who I have met, and who I haven't met yet, but would like an intro. "They advise not to be too promiscuous in expanding a LinkedIn network, because 'too many people can weaken your network.'" Totally disagree with that, by the way. Cheers, John Carson. LI has been my main contacts network since it started, and I use it every day to get answers for my job (social media) and to liaise with people who I have met, and who I haven’t met yet, but would like an intro.

“They advise not to be too promiscuous in expanding a LinkedIn network, because ‘too many people can weaken your network.’”

Totally disagree with that, by the way.

Cheers,
John Carson.

]]> By: Brendan http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302442 Brendan Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:59:27 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302442 @justelise Business is socializing with purpose. And socializing can be business. Maybe it's not as flashy as a Facebook or MySpace (which suck from a usability standpoint) but it gets the job done. It organizes my contacts, tells them relevant information about me and lets me contact other knowledgeable experts. But of course that's not as social as being invited to join someones gang in a maffia game. @justelise
Business is socializing with purpose. And socializing can be business. Maybe it’s not as flashy as a Facebook or MySpace (which suck from a usability standpoint) but it gets the job done. It organizes my contacts, tells them relevant information about me and lets me contact other knowledgeable experts. But of course that’s not as social as being invited to join someones gang in a maffia game.

]]> By: justelise http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302430 justelise Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:31:01 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302430 LinkedIn is really a glorified Rolodex for business users. I don't understand why it keeps getting compared to Facebook and MySpace, and I don't know why it keeps getting described as a social networking tool. It's a business networking tool, and happens to have two or three social functions, but that doesn't warrant it being classified as a social network. LinkedIn is really a glorified Rolodex for business users. I don’t understand why it keeps getting compared to Facebook and MySpace, and I don’t know why it keeps getting described as a social networking tool. It’s a business networking tool, and happens to have two or three social functions, but that doesn’t warrant it being classified as a social network.

]]> By: Brendan http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302418 Brendan Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:48:46 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302418 LinkedIn certainly is for me the most useful. Because it is so dedicated to one type of contact, primarily business and hr, it is very useful. Other social networks are more truly socail with lots of games fun pictures etc. That's nice, but as Christian says: "You dont need to wade through tons of irrelevant bs to get to what you want." Personally, Facebook et al remind of those old Geocities and homepages where people mentioned they have a cat. Nice for family and friends, completely irrelevant for the rest of the world. LinkedIn forces users to be relevant. LinkedIn certainly is for me the most useful. Because it is so dedicated to one type of contact, primarily business and hr, it is very useful. Other social networks are more truly socail with lots of games fun pictures etc. That’s nice, but as Christian says:

“You dont need to wade through tons of irrelevant bs to get to what you want.”

Personally, Facebook et al remind of those old Geocities and homepages where people mentioned they have a cat. Nice for family and friends, completely irrelevant for the rest of the world. LinkedIn forces users to be relevant.

]]> By: Christian http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302386 Christian Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:03:20 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302386 I like LinkedIn as it is a no-crap social network. You dont need to wade through tons of irrelevant bs to get to what you want. I like LinkedIn as it is a no-crap social network. You dont need to wade through tons of irrelevant bs to get to what you want.

]]> By: Daniel Genser http://webworkerdaily.com/2008/08/14/linkedin-old-school-social-network-isnt-short-of-fans/#comment-302381 Daniel Genser Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:49:23 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/?p=3355#comment-302381 I definitely still think that <a href="http://www.biznik.com/join/danielgenser" rel="nofollow">Biznik</a> is the strongest of the business-oriented social networks out there. I definitely still think that Biznik is the strongest of the business-oriented social networks out there.

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