Comments on: Social Search and Building a Connection to the World’s Knowledge http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge tips, tools & techniques to build a better website for visitors and the search engines they use. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:12:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sean ODriscoll http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-33 Sean ODriscoll Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:53:35 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-33 Good thoughts...I will think on this more. What got me thinking about this is that ultimately I am an online community person (for tons of reasons that I prefer online), but the more I do this, the more I think of times where bridging back might be a uniquely cool and fun way to meet. I've also witnessed some online communities that were improved by an offline component. Classic example, sometimes online communities can get a little "heated" - I don't mean the dark side of things, but let's face it, people will say things to people online they would NEVER say face to face. Some of that has some positives - people can be more open and more honest, but it can also create a barrier to entry for newbees intimidated by the space. Once you meet face to face, the nature of the online dialog can change and improve. Now, all this being said, if I was forced to choose between online and offline, it would always be online:) Anyway, thanks for "chatting" on this, it's an interesting topic I think. sean Good thoughts…I will think on this more. What got me thinking about this is that ultimately I am an online community person (for tons of reasons that I prefer online), but the more I do this, the more I think of times where bridging back might be a uniquely cool and fun way to meet. I’ve also witnessed some online communities that were improved by an offline component. Classic example, sometimes online communities can get a little “heated” – I don’t mean the dark side of things, but let’s face it, people will say things to people online they would NEVER say face to face. Some of that has some positives – people can be more open and more honest, but it can also create a barrier to entry for newbees intimidated by the space. Once you meet face to face, the nature of the online dialog can change and improve. Now, all this being said, if I was forced to choose between online and offline, it would always be online:)

Anyway, thanks for “chatting” on this, it’s an interesting topic I think.

sean

]]> By: pittfall http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-32 pittfall Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:23:24 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-32 Sean, I would tend to agree, we are on the same path, however, there are many detriments to converging online and offline communities. I'm sure that you know there are many deviants and predators online that should never see the light of day, but being an optimistic person, we shall stay off of this topic. I think that the most important thing to consider when comparing online to offline communities, like I said above, there are many restrictions that online communities do not need to overcome. I would go further to say, in an online environment, the reason that a person joins a community is for the information exchange. This is extremely powerful. I am not judged by my appearance, but rather the (perceived) value of what I have to offer. Sure there are some that alienate others based upon differences (just as offline), but the limitations that we set, as falible humans, are at least lowered online. I am not treated better because of my looks or less because of the lack of money in my bank account, rather, I am what I bring to the table. Along with this, those willing to share thoughts, opinions and ideas are empowered by others, as they should. The only thing that I wish I could improve would be the confidence that many have online should ease the transfer to their offline communities. I know that I am a bit scattered on my response, but, I too, have been thinking about this (offline) and looking at it on a much deeper scale. Why? Because I want to improve, share how and why with others, so that they can improve and we can all be better members of our communities, online and off. It is this helping each other that is socialization and the foundation of communities and should become more important in our society (at least as far as I can see!). Sean,

I would tend to agree, we are on the same path, however, there are many detriments to converging online and offline communities. I’m sure that you know there are many deviants and predators online that should never see the light of day, but being an optimistic person, we shall stay off of this topic.

I think that the most important thing to consider when comparing online to offline communities, like I said above, there are many restrictions that online communities do not need to overcome. I would go further to say, in an online environment, the reason that a person joins a community is for the information exchange. This is extremely powerful. I am not judged by my appearance, but rather the (perceived) value of what I have to offer. Sure there are some that alienate others based upon differences (just as offline), but the limitations that we set, as falible humans, are at least lowered online. I am not treated better because of my looks or less because of the lack of money in my bank account, rather, I am what I bring to the table.

Along with this, those willing to share thoughts, opinions and ideas are empowered by others, as they should. The only thing that I wish I could improve would be the confidence that many have online should ease the transfer to their offline communities.

I know that I am a bit scattered on my response, but, I too, have been thinking about this (offline) and looking at it on a much deeper scale. Why? Because I want to improve, share how and why with others, so that they can improve and we can all be better members of our communities, online and off. It is this helping each other that is socialization and the foundation of communities and should become more important in our society (at least as far as I can see!).

]]> By: Sean ODriscoll http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-31 Sean ODriscoll Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:12:54 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-31 I think we are saying the same things. Online communities facilitate in a very different way than offline. I do think some interesting converging scenarios will emerge, but not to the detriment of either, but to enhance. There's like a good post to be done of the how online communities change the demographics of communities and the value that brings. I'll have to think on this. A few quick thoughts are: 1) Inclusing of participants/members who could not participate in offline (location dependent or even disabled). I know an amazing community leader in South America who is a quadraplegic. To be fair, he works amazingly hard in offline too, but online community accessibility changed his life and that of many of his followers. 2) Persona differences - There are a lot of people who participate online in ways they never would offline (personality driven). This has a dark side too, but on the whole is very positive - you get a voice often missed by offline. 3) Scale - like #1, but you get critical mass faster and the ability to go global in scope which benefits the conversation in terms of diversity of perspective. 4) to be continued...I'll think more on this. Would love your thoughts on my blog. Thanks. Sean I think we are saying the same things. Online communities facilitate in a very different way than offline. I do think some interesting converging scenarios will emerge, but not to the detriment of either, but to enhance. There’s like a good post to be done of the how online communities change the demographics of communities and the value that brings. I’ll have to think on this. A few quick thoughts are:
1) Inclusing of participants/members who could not participate in offline (location dependent or even disabled). I know an amazing community leader in South America who is a quadraplegic. To be fair, he works amazingly hard in offline too, but online community accessibility changed his life and that of many of his followers.
2) Persona differences – There are a lot of people who participate online in ways they never would offline (personality driven). This has a dark side too, but on the whole is very positive – you get a voice often missed by offline.
3) Scale – like #1, but you get critical mass faster and the ability to go global in scope which benefits the conversation in terms of diversity of perspective.
4) to be continued…I’ll think more on this.

Would love your thoughts on my blog. Thanks.

Sean

]]> By: pittfall http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-30 pittfall Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:16:03 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-30 Bill, If you hear from any of the attendees, please share. I also agree that the ability to incorporate online social networks will be very important for the engines to figure out and provide this information to their users as they are also relevant to what they are looking for. Sean, I think that the social networking online has become something that offline communities could not accomplish. Basically, online communities have no interference with time and space that offline communities face. As these social networks expand, they are not limited to when and where communication and sharing of ideas can take place, and unlike other communication, like standard mail and even email, publishing to a group can allow each member the freedom to reciprocate or not. As long as there is some member of the community continuing, the network continues. I think, as I responded above, that online communities will continue to grow and expand, but they still are a function of any traditional community, a group of people that communicate. There really isn't anything new here, however, the concept of the online community has given others the ability to expand beyond there limits of distance and focus on the substance of the relationship, namely, information. As these bonds gain strength, it will be very important that the search engines capture this information to provide it to their users. My opinion of politics is that the people that are trying to reach others, politicians, are finding a new social arena, hence, they are becoming more involved in the social online communities. I have taken a glance at your site and it looks interesting. I will delve more into tonight. But I would like to thank you again for your interest and opinion, it is greatly appreciated. Bill,

If you hear from any of the attendees, please share. I also agree that the ability to incorporate online social networks will be very important for the engines to figure out and provide this information to their users as they are also relevant to what they are looking for.

Sean,

I think that the social networking online has become something that offline communities could not accomplish. Basically, online communities have no interference with time and space that offline communities face. As these social networks expand, they are not limited to when and where communication and sharing of ideas can take place, and unlike other communication, like standard mail and even email, publishing to a group can allow each member the freedom to reciprocate or not. As long as there is some member of the community continuing, the network continues. I think, as I responded above, that online communities will continue to grow and expand, but they still are a function of any traditional community, a group of people that communicate. There really isn’t anything new here, however, the concept of the online community has given others the ability to expand beyond there limits of distance and focus on the substance of the relationship, namely, information. As these bonds gain strength, it will be very important that the search engines capture this information to provide it to their users. My opinion of politics is that the people that are trying to reach others, politicians, are finding a new social arena, hence, they are becoming more involved in the social online communities.

I have taken a glance at your site and it looks interesting. I will delve more into tonight. But I would like to thank you again for your interest and opinion, it is greatly appreciated.

]]> By: Sean ODriscoll http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-28 Sean ODriscoll Mon, 12 Feb 2007 04:37:30 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-28 I actually wonder about the opposite, when will we see stronger evidence of online/social search facilitating offline. This is happening some today, but I think in relatively clumsy ways that really only serve a very small number of people. Offline community building has never stopped. Online just seems to run faster and scale in many desirable ways. When will convergence really enable something new as search + location based services + mobile technology really create something really new. Howard Rheingold wrote about "flashing" or "flash mops" years ago, but thus far it seems very gimicky vs practical and exciting. Politics provides an interesting example of where this could take off faster...look at www.barackobama.com and "find supporters near you." For good or bad, with politics you get passion and necessity which may both be needed for this to get further traction. I hope you'll give my blog a read, I share an interest in all things online community. (http://communitygrouptherapy.spaces.live.com) Let me know what you think. Sean I actually wonder about the opposite, when will we see stronger evidence of online/social search facilitating offline. This is happening some today, but I think in relatively clumsy ways that really only serve a very small number of people. Offline community building has never stopped. Online just seems to run faster and scale in many desirable ways. When will convergence really enable something new as search + location based services + mobile technology really create something really new. Howard Rheingold wrote about “flashing” or “flash mops” years ago, but thus far it seems very gimicky vs practical and exciting. Politics provides an interesting example of where this could take off faster…look at http://www.barackobama.com and “find supporters near you.” For good or bad, with politics you get passion and necessity which may both be needed for this to get further traction. I hope you’ll give my blog a read, I share an interest in all things online community. (http://communitygrouptherapy.spaces.live.com) Let me know what you think.

Sean

]]> By: Bill Slawski http://www.seopittfall.com/social-search-and-building-a-connection-to-the-world%e2%80%99s-knowledge/comment-page-1#comment-26 Bill Slawski Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:29:16 +0000 http://www.seopittfall.com/?p=51#comment-26 I'm hoping that some attendees of the conference wrote some blog posts about it. Social Networking is an area that I think anyone thinking about the web, and how it works will need to pay attention to. As social networking sites increase in number, and evolve, and I think that they will, I think that search engines will need to adapt to the way that people are using the web. And, if social networking sites can help search engines index pages better, it makes sense for the search engines to use them. I’m hoping that some attendees of the conference wrote some blog posts about it.

Social Networking is an area that I think anyone thinking about the web, and how it works will need to pay attention to. As social networking sites increase in number, and evolve, and I think that they will, I think that search engines will need to adapt to the way that people are using the web. And, if social networking sites can help search engines index pages better, it makes sense for the search engines to use them.

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