Web 2.0 Networking

Wow, I just rediscovered this blog that I have not posted on since January. I guess this could be considered to be an inactive blog.

Since the beginning of year, the buzz word that I have been increasingly hearing is Web 2.0. I have joined a number of sites that are considered to be Web 2.0 networking sites. These sites have the ability to network with other users who may or may not be blog owners themselves. Usually they do have some sort of site that they are promoting. Here is a list of Web 2.0 sites that I have been using for networking.

• Mybloglog.com is a great site for discovering great blogs. It has many great communities, and gives its users more than one way to communicate with other users. Sign up for a free account, and then install the free recent Mybloglog readers widget to your site. This not only lets you see the most recent Mybloglog users that have been on your site, which can be customized to be from 5 to 100 users, but it also gives some basic site stats. Here is mybloglog profile page, please feel free to add me to your contacts. I just added two contacts that had visited my profile page...it is an awesome networking tool.
• Blogcatalog.com is another social networking site that I have been using of late. Very similar to Mybloglog, but it does have some other cool features that Mybloglog does not have. Most importantly, it is not part of the network of sites that Yahoo has acquired(that I am aware of) Some of the features that I like about it are the discussion boards, the shout box, and just the ability to meet and contact other bloggers. My Blogcatalog profile.
  
• Twitter.com allows users to stay connected to their network of friends via IM, cell phone, or the actual site. Users update the site as events as random as having a cup of coffee occur. I am relatively new to twitter, but have seen that it is a good way to add contacts and to create buzz about programs or sites you may be working on. My Twitter name is EmperorAnton. Given to me by my friend Kenny, in relation to the Emperor from Star Wars.
  
• Flickr.com is the site were I host my pictures. It is not only an online picture hosting service, though, it also has the ability to develop a network of picture friends. Lots of great features make this site a truly awesome site to use for networking. Much like Mybloglog.com, it was also acquired by Yahoo. My flickr photo page.
  

Well these five sites are some good Web 2.0 resources that can be used for networking. Being short of time, I will end this post by directing any readers that may stumble upon it, to the Web 2. blog posts on Pixelheadonline.

Web 2.0 Portals from TopicalBeach.com

I have been keeping my eye on a local portal company that is positioned for big things this coming year. The site Topicalbeach.com, which is a web directory, also has a growing number of sites in its growing network that each represent a portal for a given geographic area. The company started out with its flagship Topicalbeach.com, but now has three additional local portals:

• Springfordonline.com
• MyBoyertown.com
• KingofPrussiaLife.com

Each site is run by a town guide, who is a person from the community that the site represents. Accordingly, the person who is fortunate enough to become a town guide also is able to share in the revenue of the site which comes from advertising of local businesses.
Some features of the sites include forums, a directory of local businesses, classified adds, calendar of local events, real estate listings, shopping guides, and a user game called City Sleuth.
Visitors to the site can join the site and then participate in the game and actually get prizes.
Currently, there are openings for town guards in the towns of Pottstown, Norristown, Radner, West Chester, Phoenixville, Exton, and Collegeville. Person's interested in becoming a town guard should visit the Topicalbeach Topic Guides page for more information.