Here is what I’ve pieced together from some reliable sources:
• This is not a rumor. This is a real project. There are a large number of people working on it. I am completely confident about this.
• They realized that Buzz wasn’t enough and that they need to build out a full, first-class social network. They are modeling it off of Facebook.
• Unlike previous attempts (before Buzz at least), this is a high-priority project within Google.
• They had assumed that Facebook’s growth would slow as it grew, and that Facebook wouldn’t be able to have too much leverage over them, but then it just didn’t stop, and now they are really scared.

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Side note about the IRS.
The IRS will never email you. They use the US Postal system or show up in person.

ASA to take over Facebook, Twitter regulation

Remit to include social media

By OUT-LAW.COM • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 8th March 2010 16:13 GMT

Free whitepaper – IT infrastructure for midsized companies

Advertising regulator the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will take over the regulation of companies' social networking pages by the end of the year, according to advertising industry proposals.

The ASA hopes that the move will plug a regulatory gap that has resulted in two thirds of the complaints it receives relating to activity over which it has no authority.

Trade body the Advertising Association has recommended that the ASA regulate companies' activity on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

"This landmark move for advertising self-regulation seeks to address societal concerns and will increase…..

Read full Article.
Just found this interesting, regulation beyond a company's website itself…Telling companies online how they may behave on social media sites.
It does seem some sort of oversight is needed as they are getting complaints and have no influence in this media-sphere.

This a a brife recap of what was discussed at the GoToWebinar about Twitter:
(hosted by Jay Berkowitz, Gail Goodwin-motivational speaker(InspireMeToday), Iconic88, Warren Whitlock wrote "twitter revolution"

Starting with a brief explanation of what Twitter is:
Twitter is an incredible news feed and Micro-blogging in 140 characters or less.

Then the panel moved into the outline of Good Twitter Tips:

1#How to build a following:
Follow those that are in the sidebar of people you like, chances are they will have similar interest.

2#Good basic profile
Good Head Shot, description/bio, and link, you only get one link.
Twitter is searchable from google so make it authentic, about you and use your link.

3#Follow a few people and listen before you speak.
Get a feel for what is going on in your "new tribe/community"

4# write some great tweets…why?
So people will get a feel for what your twitter stream will be filled with.
What is a great tweet? Answering a question, being of service, being positive.
You can find question by searching twiiter using the "?" Both to answer questions and to find answers to your questions, much like people are using google and yahoo.

5# Follow the Leaders – where are the leaders located?
Check out:
WeFollow.com WeFollow is a directory of Twitter users organized by interests.
TwitterGrader.com Twitter Grader : Measure the power and authority of your twitter profile (can check top twitters by geo-location)
 Twitteriti.com The World of Twitter and Microblogging "ideas to follow top 100 from here"
Technorati’s Real-time search for user-generated media (including weblogs) by tag or keyword. Also provides popularity indexes. Follow top 100. 
Then get in the converstation using the @ sign.  (you should have some tweets going alreay in your stream, nobody wants to follow a tweeter with no tweets!)

6# RT (ReTweet) with an @ sign
Sharing others information is siting the source, which can lead to others RT your tweets. Try  using only 100 characters to leave room for a comment by the ReTweeter.

7# Search.Twitter.com
The instantaneous search, Real time search results. Did you know Google recently offered Twitter a Billion Dollars to acquire it. Most likely for the search.

Tip interlude: Hash-tag # a way to create taging information around a common term.
i.e #iranelections or at Blogworld Convention #BWE09

8# Upgrade your profile
use a custom background that matches your site, personality, a new promo, specials, books you author, etc.
It doesn’t have to stay static.

9# Play with some twitter apps, like
tweetdeck, split tweet, seemic-desktop, peoplebrowsr
bit.ly (shorten a url, and track the named link…cool custom twitter link with stats!)
tweetlater (is now socialOomph) for autoposting/sechuled posts. It’s useful before events your going to attend. Set to go off 5 mins before the event starts.

10# Three E’s of Social Media
1) Educate – Help someone, answers a question, point them/link them in the right direction
2) Entertain – Be funny, link to videos, music, etc.
3) Engage -  use the @ sign and be involved in a converstation. Don’t let your twitter account, or any social account, stay dormant!
Also know as the the Two L’s :: Listen and Love

All in all it was a good webinar. I was refreshed on some things, learned some new things, gathered some great links, apps,  and resources… all shared above.
Happy twittering

-Brian

This was cracking me up the whole way through it.  Thanks to samharrelson for posting this on Twitter.

Turn a Sharpie into a Liquid Fueled Rocket

Office Supplies Rocket – video powered by Metacafe

Now, anything you upload to Facebook can be used by Facebook in any way they deem fit, forever, no matter what you do later. Want to close your account? Good for you, but Facebook still has the right to do whatever it wants with your old content. They can even sublicense it if they want.

What an outrage.

Read the full story Here

There are over 18,000 people following the Mars Updates.

I am and have found it all very captivating. More about Mars and twitter More on Mars Phoenix

I recall watching a special on OPB (oregon’s modified PBS channel) about sending a drone to one of the moons of Saturn. They said getting that kind thing to happen is like throwing a basket ball from NASA in Florida to anywhere in Europe and hitting nothing but net! And it a pricey game to play, with large risks. I’m happy just getting the updates from twitter. Nice and simple.