For those of you that follow me online, you know that in the past I have posted a lot from Brightkite.  There are things about the site that had me hooked for quite a while.  But, I am starting to notice that it gets annoying to update my status on Brightkite and then go and check Twitter to see what everyone else is up to.  Colin has also pointed out his frustration with doing this, and is also taking a break from Brightkite.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Brightkite is a stellar network and they have a number of features that I really like.  It is nice to go back through my history of updates to see where I have sent updates from and where my travels have led me for that week, I am also a fan of being able to comment on posts.  But, there are also things that I am still waiting for – a desktop application, more search options, timestamps in my timezone, and less downtime.  Yes, I have noticed a good bit of downtime when I go to the site.

So, I am sticking with Twitter for my updates.  I will still check-in on Brightkite (if the service is up at the particular time), but that is about it.

Cheers!

Yes, social media is about conversations.  One of the big reasons I use Twitter is to connect with people and converse with them.  If I was just sending out updates with Ping.fm, I would miss the conversation and not be using the network to my advantage.

So, while there are the fanboys of the service out there, they are missing the reason for the true use of social networks – conversations.

Are you part of a conversation, or is sending updates your only reason for social networks.

Cheers!

I encourage you to leave me your thoughts on this, I am always looking to know what you have to say!

Cheers!

With Identi.ca being open source, there are much higher chances for stability and users will be able to contribute by developing out the service.

Dave Winer has touched on the RSS and how bad it looks, and my request is to see an API released and integrated into twhirl.  XMPP is supported and is fully functional.  How is that coming along Twitter?

The system still has a long way to go before it gets the user base of Twitter, but it certainly is a nice alternative.  The FAQ touches on what is in the works for the them, so I hope to see things happen soon.

You can find me on Identi.ca @jacobburke

Cheers!

The site has a very simple sign-up for users to enter the weekly contest.  Just this week, a referral system was launched for users to name the Twitter user that referred them to the site.  The prizes are great, and Tweet Tees has been a consistent sponsor giving away their popular shirts.

The site has a lot of promise, and as Twitter grows, I believe that the sponsors and contest entries will too.

For a while I was using Pidgin, but ran into a number of roadblocks where I was unable to customize the application to my needs.  I switched back to AIM, and immediately went seeking something better.

I saw that a friend was using Digsby to update his Twitter status and inquired about the application.  Once I saw the site I knew I had found exactly what I needed.

Digsby lets your information come to you.  Aside from being an awesome IM client that combines my AIM, GTalk, and Yahoo contacts together; it allows me to get email notifications and updates from my social networks.  I will admit that I do not use Digsby for Twitter, because I think that twhirl is amazing and nothing can compare to it.

Overall, Digsby is an awesome application that has let me replace three others and allows me to get updates from Facebook without having to visit the site.  The interface allows for customizations and it is an application that is portable.  You use a login to access your profile and all of the linked services are available, no matter where you have Digsby installed.

I recommend Digsby to anyone looking to replace their IM client with something more customizable and free of advertisements.

Cheers!

The month started off with the launch of the Tweet Tees online store.  I then started work at La Tourelle Resort & Spa as the Internet Marketing Manager.  I am now happy to announce that I am working with the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance on a part-time basis doing a variety of web & graphic work.  This past month has really been fruitful for me, and I couldn’t be happier.

In addition to work, I have made myself more visible online.  I feel that this is key to my networking strategies and future business opportunities.

I think the biggest thing of all that has happened online (for me) during the month of May was the continual downtime of Twitter.  I had a big rant all ready to record on Viddler, but I have decided to hold off for now.  Frankly, I am more pissed with Steve Gillmor thinking that he knows everything and keeps bashing FriendFeed.  The man doesn’t even know how to use a proper @ reply on Twitter.  Just my two cents!

Ok, well May has been great and it’s over now.  June brings hope and opportunity with it, maybe we will see Twitter become stabilized and Steve Gillmor finally stop bitching.

Cheers!

Can someone please tell me…you get 2 hours for the Idol finale. Do you think you could possibly make the announcement before the start of the 3rd hour???? This is exactly what I got on my DVR ( i can’t stay up till 10..that’s just not in my sleeping schedule.) And the winner of American Idol 2008 with 12 million more votes is..
And the DVR stops recording!
Seriously! Really?? You’ve got to be kidding me!

I truly understand Brian’s frustration.  I started my recording around 9:30 and just had it on as background noise.  If it hadn’t been for @iJustine giving us the spoiler of who won, then I would have been pissed about them not keeping the show within the two hours.

Given how FOX can’t keep a show within two hours and how CBS manages to screw-up their Sunday nights during football season, are they even listening to the consumer?  No matter how many times I write and let them know my frustrations over this, they don’t seem to care.  In fact, things just keep getting worse.

I am looking forward to the day of IPTV, but with the way the ISPs have been acting lately, that will get interfered with too.

Cheers!

The only reason I am writing this post is because I am sick of hearing people on twitter complain about how David Cook is a cookie cutter rock musician (@jeffmccord) or that the wrong David won.  The right David won this competition.  The last thing we need is a 17 year old with an overbearing father trying to handle the pressures of being an American Idol.

I was on Summize this evening watching all of the ‘AI’ related tweets come in.  A lot of people are happy with the results, some were displeased, and the west coasters were pissed over the fact that everyone here in the east was ruining it for them.  Given that the show is done live in LA, why is it not shown live on the west coast too?  I never understood that about television networks, go figure.

Well, both Davids have a lot of work ahead of them.  I see 19 going to option both of their contracts, which will result in working with great writers and producers.  The only problem is trying to package Archuleta.  He has a magical voice, but where do you stick him?  Cook will be easy to package – ROCK.

Overall, it was a great season of American Idol.  Lots of controversy, a talented group of performers, Simon’s shirts got smaller, Paula seemed more loopy than usual, and the producers found more ways to waste time on the results shows.

Do you have any thoughts on American Idol and the results?  Leave a comment below.

Cheers!