DISQUS

Facebook is just as addictive as say, chat was/is to the insecure back in the 90s. It's not really about the technology, it's about filling a void. Facebook brings about those connections, but so can MySpace or Flickr or any other web site that brings people together.

Odd that it took them so long. I agree, the gmail icons aren't as important as gtalk. In fact that icon in gmail is so small that I probably won't even remember its there.

Chris Brogan blogged about this recently...about when Google owns you. It owns me and it has got me thinking. I use so many of their services that I would be lost if it failed. I'll definitely be looking into backup methods now.
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/when-google-owns-you/"

Just scored this error: "We're sorry but your Gmail account is currently experiencing errors. You won't be able to use your account while these errors last, but don't worry, your account data and messages are safe. Our engineers are working to resolve this issue."

Normally I'd think, oh, just a glitch, but after reading all about Nick I just feel a horrific panic. Seems to only be Gmail and not anything else, but oh my, if all that's lost...

Cross your fingers for me!

@Christopher That is just plain awesome!

I'm a newer SMC member--waiting for the next event they have I can make it for. I do find them to be very helpful overall.

And I don't really disagree with you when it comes to podcasts, I just think that the proportion of people who download them to the people who actually LISTEN to them is a wide black hole. I download the audio ones because I think I might listen to them in the car but never do and I don't think I'm alone on that one!

If Android can do that level of tracking -- WOW. But first they have to deliver. ;)

@Reese I'm not really against randomly adding people--I do that too and I think all people do, but usually it's because as you said, there is an interest there. When companies are whoring for friends it's pretty obvious. One look at the profile and their content and you can usually see if they might be aligned in some way or if they have intent that goes beyond curiosity. Conversations often get started when someone friends for an interest...because the conversation continues, right?

@Gary WOW that's pretty brazen. More brazen than the MK lady, admittedly. I can just not friend Miss MK. That's something I hadn't thought of--that it's the corporate marketing team that has started to train their reps to use social media. If that's the case, SHAME on Mary Kay for making their reps look like idiots.

I should really keep track sometime of exactly how much email I receive and respond to per day (well over 100 of that I'm sure). I'm a speed reader, so. for the most part I can easily keep on top of things, but I'm not sure how other, slower readers manage.