Social Media

              I am on two social networking websites: Twitter and Facebook.  I just created a Twitter today for this Computers and Society course.  In regards to how I feel about Twitter, I have not spent enough time on Twitter to fully comment on it.  But upon creating my Twitter account, I am now following four of my favorite sports writers on Twitter.  I look forward to being able to appreciate their insights on a consistent basis.  I believe this is the main advantage of Twitter, to be able to provide a constant flow of information to people who would otherwise go without it.   The other social networking site I am on is Facebook.  I believe Facebook, and Twitter too, can serve as the ultimate time waster.  Therefore, I avoid spending more than a few minutes on any particular day on Facebook.  I believe that the main advantage to Facebook lies in the increased  ability it allows its users to communicate.  I cannot pinpoint which social networking website I prefer.  Yet, I do enjoy the benefits of the increased information of Twitter and the improved communication that Facebook allows.

                Virtual worlds are online services that allow people to function and live online as if they were in the real world.   Personal avatars can be created, and users can use them to live vicariously through them on the Internet.  As cited in the CNN article Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life, users can go on walks, drink coffee, and even entertain international business meetings on virtual worlds.   Virtual worlds can also serve safe havens for people with difficulties managing in traditional social settings.  For those whom normal human interaction is a constant struggle, life in the virtual world can allow them to thrive in ways  beyond their wildest dreams.  In regards to having my dreams fulfilled, if I had an avatar in the virtual world, I would want to be a sports play by play analyst.