Guys, it feels good to be back. We’ve been out of based but all the same we’re back. I’m looking forward to a huge social explosion on the web this year. Already Facebook has retransformed its look giving it better navigation, which I’m loving a lot. If you haven’t been on Facebook today. Run up to check your new page layout. Fantastic work guys! Our friends at Twitter has also done some good work.
What will Letche look like in 2010? We’ve planned a major social media information hub for Letche. In a few days you’ll be seeing more post from around the internet on social media news and trends. More to that is a planned launch of Letche blogs. Wordpress.com style. If you like your blog to be featured on Letche you’re welcome to submit your RSS. More importantly if you talk Enterprise Social Media or want to know more about how companies are using social media in their business then you should bookmark this link.

Talk soon.

-Paulette.

Businesses have been urged not to consult social networking sites when considering job applications, as it could lead to discrimination claims.

The Law Society warned that using the likes of Facebook and MySpace to vet candidates is a dangerous practice.

This is because details such as religious beliefs and sexual discrimination are often shared on these portals and could be perceived to influence hiring decisions….Read more

The next big step in social networking is taking this internet evolution to the next level. The information and cultural transformation spawned by social networking may soon upgrade to a new level of sophistication.

According to authorities, new technology will allow automatic uploads of status updates and a variety of social and geographic information.

European researchers are working to merge information pulled by ambient intelligence systems that use sensors and smart objects to create awareness of users’ whereabouts and activities to networking and messaging platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Combined, the two technologies promise to provide an omnipresent or pervasive awareness, that is, an encompassing way to stay in touch with friends and relatives…Read more

Just like your resume doesn’t get you a job. Nor do your references, your mother or standing on a street corner holding a sign. Only you and the overall impression you make can get you your next position.

I see your eyes rolling.

But if you’re like most people, you’re not acting like you know that. You’re acting like you think that by having your information “out there” you will be discovered.

Social networking services that let you instantaneously share information are well worth discussing. But let’s talk about what they realistically can do for your career and some nifty tricks of the trade to make it worth your while.

Essentially social networking can help you: 1. Increase your odds of being found among zillions of others; 2. Give you a giant platform for enhancing your reputation; 3. Meet others; and 4. Learn about companies and potential openings… Read more

For years, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM have used Linux to lower the cost of their hardware and software-based solutions, while keeping profit margins fat and healthy. Google, ever the quick learner, is now doing the same with Android.

The mobile market will never be the same.

Just as Google and others are using open-source software to lower barriers to adoption of their proprietary cloud offerings, so, too, is Google using open source to reduce the cost of mobile computing in order to drive uptake of its proprietary search-related advertising business in mobile.

Google CFO Patrick Pichette said as much in Google’s most recent earnings call:

If we move forward the adoption of these smartphones by having a lower cost infrastructure because it’s open source…all the (mobile) searches…will happen so much faster.

Open source: it’s all about peace, love…and capitalism.

However, Android is more than just a way to shave a few dollars off a phone’s purchase price. Jim Zemlin, Linux Foundation’s executive director, declared recently that Linux offers “greater flexibility, freedom from lock-in, and lack of licensing costs.”… Read more

“Loosen up on social network security”. on That’s how analysts advised Gartner Symposium attendees here Monday, arguing that corporate computing departments shouldn’t block social networking and that security shouldn’t completely lock down communications with the outside world. And even if information technology authorities want to shut down such activity, they can’t.

“Banning access to social media from the corporate network is futile,” said Carol Rozwell, a Gartner vice president. “The world we live in is digitally enabled and socially connected.”

The advice reflects the transformation of the information technology world as the Internet steadily pervades more and more corners of everybody’s life. Although the Gartner event historically has concerned itself with matters such as justifying the expense of a new enterprise resource management computing system, the broadening show reflects the growing scope of work that IT managers face.

Overall, companies must acknowledge that not everything is under control of their own top-down administration, said Peter Sondergaard, senior vice president of research at Gartner… Read more

Social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Myspace, have become a part of everyday life for teens and adults alike. A recent study warns to be mindful of what is posted on the public sites.

According to a study by Career builder, 45 percent of employers now use these sites as a way to research potential job candidates. This is up from the 22 percent in a similar study last year, who stated they used the sites.

The study states that 29 percent use Facebook to screen jobseekers, 26 percent look at LinkedIn and another 21 percent view potential job candidates on Myspace.

More than 2,600 hiring managers participated in the study. Fifty-three percent of potential job candidates were rejected because of unsavory photographs posted on personal sites. Another 44 percent were turned away due to comments posted about drug use or drinking. Another 35 percent cited putting down previous employers, co-workers or clients, and 20 percent turned applicants away for sharing confidential information from previous employers. On the other hand, the sites can provide helpful information in some situations.

According to the study, networking sites can be a good place to advertise one’s skills. Some employers stated that after reviewing the public networking sites they hired candidates because they showed creativity, good communication skills, and provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality…Read more

Microsoft vs. Apple. Google vs. Yahoo. And now, Facebook vs. Twitter.

Industry battles, especially in the technology arena, are often cast as epic matchups between one company or another. Typical consumers may not really know a battle is under way, but to those involved — and to various industry watchers — the stakes are momentous and epoch-making. The future of the web, the future of computing, the future of communication — any of these may be at play in these one-on-one bouts.

The latest battle pits two social networking companies against each other: Facebook and Twitter. And what’s at stake?…Read more

Samsung today announced the availability of Samsung Corby S3650, a mobile phone designed to support the digitally connected lifestyles of today’s young mobile users.

The Samsung Corby is a full-touch handset that places users at the center of the social media revolution with a wide range of social networks support, such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

The Samsung Corby is notable for both its body design and colors – which mark a significant break from the way full touch phones are usually designed. It is available in bold color options such as Jamaican Yellow, Cupid Pink, Minimal White, and Festival Orange so that users can choose their favorite colors…Read more

Ford and Ford Fiesta agents are definitely doing something right. A journey which started on the ever-expanding social media with more than 4,000 applications submitted, with an excess of 640,000 views of applicant videos on YouTube. The Ford Fiesta also is gaining attention on Facebook and Twitter, with more than 300 fans on the Fiesta Movement Facebook fan page and more than 600 followers on the @FordFiesta Twitter account.

“We got a tremendous response from consumers, a lot of exciting people decided to apply,” said Sam De La Garza, small car marketing manager. “Choosing the 100 agents is a critical step in the movement, pulling us one step closer to getting people in the vehicles.”

The Fiesta Movement campaign is squarely aimed at Millennials, the next-generation consumer group born between 1979 and 1995. These consumers, which will total 70 million drivers by 2010, use social media daily and offer a prime opportunity for Ford to tap into a group that hasn’t yet established brand loyalty. According to statistics from a Microsoft study on Millennials, each day 77 percent use Facebook, MySpace or other social networking sites and 28 percent access a personal blog.

“Our group of agents is a broad cross section of people from across the country who are active in all areas of the social media space,” said Connie Fontaine, Ford’s brand content and alliances manager. “It’s a strong team across social networks that are geographically and occupationally diverse.”

The chosen agents are socially vibrant, unique and able to tell a good story. They come from all across the country and work in a variety of occupations. But most importantly, they have established social networks with a strong Web presence. Most have hundreds, if not thousands, of Facebook friends. There also are thousands of people following them on Twitter.

“We’re engaging outside sources that live in this space to make sure we are pushing the limit as far as we can,” said Fontaine. “By working with them, we will maximize the exposure of our content online, while at the same time receiving valuable feedback from the agents about our new car.”

Wanna cruise with this Fiesta trend setters, follow the Fiesta movement on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/fiestamovement

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiestamovement

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fiesta-Movement/73386615309

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fordfiesta