Just thinking about ABC's reach online.
If you can spare a moment, I'm curious to get a quick idea of how many ABCers use the net as a social networking tool, and how.
So, for example,
Are you on Facebook?
Are you on Twitter?
Do you keep a blog?
Do you use Instant Messaging?
Do you play MMO's, are you on second life?
Are you involved in other online writing communities?
etc.
- and what is the value to you of those groups?
You don't have to answer everything, I'm just curious for a sense of what people do.
ME:
I'm on facebook, and twitter (spending too much time on the latter of late). I do NaNoWriMo each year and post a little to their boards, but am not involved in any other online communities of any sort. I like it very much when an online friendships become real friendships, and try to attend meetups, etc (abctales & nano)
FTSE100 | December 4, 2009 - 11:11
I'm on Twitter (eFootsie) but got bored with it and haven't twat for a while.
I keep a blog of sorts on this site, but it's just for private notes and nobody else reads it, so I don't suppose it counts. Don't even keep that up to date!
I looked at Second Life several years ago, about the time it started getting greedy. Their attitiude to users reminded me too much of eBay so I never joined up.
I've never been attracted to Facebook and the like. I hope that doesn't make me a bad person!
In short, hardly any social networking. Call me an old paranoid if you will, but I'm always afraid of who will see my personal info and what use they'll make of it.
barely black francis | December 4, 2009 - 12:11
I don't think I need to answer this for Enzo's benefit-he is fully aware of my internet usage issues!
Incidentally, if you ARE on twitter, follow Tony http://twitter.com/tcookabctales and reweet his daily(ish) tweet to gain max coverage for ABC. Also send it to any random celebs with tons of followers and get them to retweet it. Cheers
poetjude | December 4, 2009 - 12:20
Are you on Facebook?
Yes, and there are several benefits. Seeing people I had lost touch with makes me realise I'm not really missing out on much for having done so! Not having to go to crappy parties... I can see the photos and realise I made the right choice. In fact it should be re-named a social-isolation tool.
Are you on Twitter?
No - and I find other people's entries dull as hell
Do you keep a blog?
Used to until I realsied it was dull as hell
Do you use Instant Messaging?
Sometimes.
Do you play MMO's, are you on second life?
No I am still trying to get to grips with my first life.
Are you involved in other online writing communities?
etc.
No. I have always found ABC Tales doesn't take itself too seriously and that was always the joy of ABC tales events. Never found that elsewhere. This is also a good place to be for people like me who don't want to be creative writers in any professional way and just want to enjoy reading and writing whilst getting on with life.
jude
Ewan | December 4, 2009 - 12:34
On Facebook?
Yes.
On Twitter?
No.
Am I a Bloggist?
No, I'm too boring.
IM?
Yes, but with very few people.
MMO,MMORPG (did I get that right?).
No offence, but I think people who do this have not quite got the point of being told 'Get a life!'
Other writing communities.
In common with a few here, I am also on UKA - although I'm not quite so active on that site.
I am an old Fogey. :-)
chuck | December 4, 2009 - 14:59
I've got a blog and a group of cyber chums. We leave comments for each other. It's not what it was a few years ago. Since Facebook and Twitter came along blogging has lost it's momentum. About half the visitors are looking for teenage bukkake addicts and they tend to live in places like Bogota. I find it useful for storing notes, pics, links etc.
I'm with FTSE on posting personal info. Very dodgy IMO but it doesn't seem to bother some people.
Foster (not verified) | December 4, 2009 - 17:26
On Facebook?
Yes. I'm mostly connected to other writers. The majority of my FB friends, I've never met (sorta like my ABC friends). But there are so many of us out there submitting daily, racking up rejections, it's nice to be notified (and to notify) when something hits.
On Twitter?
Yes, but don't use. I may try one day, people keep adding me and I'm sure I'd like it if I ever devoted some time to it.
Other writing communities?
The only other is Zoetrope, which I've used about as much as ABC lately. Tom S pulled me in a few years ago, and like all the rest, it's nice place to be connected with other writers who are taking their lumps.
I'll add that ABC was my first ever online community. Seems so long ago when I joined...
insertponceyfre... | December 4, 2009 - 17:47
On Facebook?
Yes, absolutely. I use it for a lot of things. It's a brilliant way to keep in touch... but not too in touch.
Twitter?
Sort of. I read other people's tweets sometimes, but I rarely tweet. Facebook is better.
IM?
only in dire emergencies. I find it intrusive.
Online communities?
Just this one
Scout | December 4, 2009 - 18:28
Hi,
on Facebook? Yes.
on Twitter? No.
keep a blog? No.
use Instant Messaging? Rarely, with a few.
play MMO's, are you on second life? Never heard of 'em.
involved in other online writing communities?
etc. Was on just this one for a while now, but recently joined YouWriteOn.com too.
- and what is the value to you of those groups? Quite significant value; enjoy reading and sharing work and getting and receiving critique on these...
Cheers,
:)
martin_t | December 6, 2009 - 20:40
Are you on Facebook? Yes
Are you on Twitter? Yes
Do you keep a blog? Yes, but it's very occasional now
Do you use Instant Messaging? very rarely
Do you play MMO's, are you on second life? No
Are you involved in other online writing communities?
etc. used to be, but they seem to be declining in numbers
- and what is the value to you of those groups?
twitter is addictive, and it's a useful source of info, and political tool
facebook - it has become a habit - mostly for scrabble tbh
maddan | December 7, 2009 - 10:34
Funny how people put caveats and rationalisations. These things obviously aren't as trendy as they are sometimes made out.
Are you on Facebook? Yes
Are you on Twitter? Yes
Do you keep a blog? Yes
Do you use Instant Messaging? Occasionally
Do you play MMO's, are you on second life? No
Are you involved in other online writing communities? Only nanowrimo.
- and what is the value to you of those groups?
Directly proportional to the number of friends who use them. Facebook and nanowrimo, a lot. The rest, not much.