Online communication is a mixed bag of emails, instant messages, wall posts and commentary, which can leave the uninitiated feeling rather daunted.
Why? The conventions of online etiquette are less precise than the letter-writing rules we have had drilled into us since we were young.
However, there are some key recommendations to consider that can help you avoid (online) social faux pas. Debretts, the self-proclaimed ‘modern authority on all matters etiquette, taste and achievement’, Read More
To most, social networking now refers to online social networks, since the recent phenomena of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Social networks allow users to keep in touch with their friends, or to make new connections. They also allow users to share news and interests.
There are more than 300 social networking sites currently in existence, from the very niche, such as Kaboodle, a shopping community, to general interest networks such as MySpace.
So how does one go about social networking and taking part in an online community?
Firstly, you may want learn more about WHY people actually use social network sites. About.com’s page ‘Why Use Social Networking?’ offers a simple introduction, and this article offers a rundown of the most popular reasons, which can be pinned down to finding old friends, romance, job hunting and social group finding. For many, a service such as Facebook allows people to reunite with old school friends, and keep connected with the activities of their social circle. Read More
Internet safety, especially in social networks, is a huge concern in our society. News articles regularly crop up regarding how privacy can easily be breached online, such as the recent worries over the advent of services that allow users to share their location online.
However, rather than being scared off, simply by taking care over how you present yourself online can allow you to reap the benefits of the internet, whilst protecting your identity.
Privacy settings on registration-only websites allow users to decide what information they would like to share with their friends or the public.
Facebook, in particular, allows users to adapt the visibility of each aspect of their profile, such as photos, wall posts, contact details and networks, according to who can view it, offering a ‘limited friends’ option whereby only a cut-down version of your profile is available to certain people you Read More
Videoconferencing is when two computers are linked up over the Internet via a live video. This is proving popular in the workplace, especially for international business, and is also a fun way for friends and families to keep in touch with those that live far away.
To set up a videoconference, both parties need a webcam, microphone, and some video conferencing software or a registered account on a video-supporting chat service. Once set up, you can see and listen to each other in realtime.
Follow these simple steps for setting up a videoconference: Read More
In this video from Direct.gov, body language expert Geoff Beattie shares some tips for job interviews.
Information Dividend: Communications, Happiness and Well-being
Our analysis – conducted at both national and international levels – reveals that IT has a direct positive impact on happiness and well-being, particularly through improving one’s satisfaction with their social lives, which was especially important for women.
The study demonstrated that the biggest increase in well-being was associated with being newly connected to the internet. New users of the internet are most interested in and derive most benefit from the ‘social’ uses of the internet, such as social networking and instant messaging.
More experienced users value email and online shopping most highly, yet instant messaging was equally Read More »