To tweet or not tweet

As a way of renewing my dedication to social networking, I've decided to tweet on a part-time basis, of course. Having been out of circulation for so long and not really having been dedicated to tweeting to beginning with, I'm at a loss on what to tweet about.

I could follow suit with those following me and tweet bits of randomness that I experience throughout the day but I don't think anyone will be interested in knowing that I'm a workaholic.

Geez, who knew that tweeting could be such a difficult feat......

Sidenote:

Great news, K-12 school grades come out today! I wonder what the left-ists and the right-ists will be up in arms about?

You, me and du-produsage

Having learned a lot these past few weeks I plan to go forth and spread the gospel of web 2.0. I have only just scratched the surface on what is out there and how to use it in my everyday life. Before I came to know web 2.0 as I know it today, I was a non-social networker but I'm happy say that I have been delivered. I am now walking in the light of web 2.0 and loving every minute of it.

So keep your eyes toward the sky in knowing that if it requires collaboration, cooperation and being connected web 2.0 will be there.

It's a tool, it's a prob, it's web 2.0!!

An open source way of Improving the World

There are many open source products out there that serve a greater good to society by being well, open source. These non-proprietary codes provide the framework for building content management systems for university's that do not have the management budget, of say a small developing country. They in the development of education systems in countries in dire need, they also provide the means for an individual to tinker and create something beneficial to the world. Open source is not taking the joy away from the individual that wants to profit, it is simply providing a means for everyone who does not have the means to participate. The following story is a testament to the benefits that open source provide......

IBM's Open-Source Approach to Disaster Management

Qui Bono...

I think the largest issue with authorship, copyright and open access is one that stems back to the beginning of American History and remains the two words that direct our decision-making to today which is, “Qui Bono” (as a benefit to whom). If an individual takes an unfair advantage in presenting someone else’s idea as their own then they should of course pay the penalties imposed by the rules that governs intellectual property. Moving beyond the idea of ”Qui Bono” in a realm that nurtures group creation is only natural.

Individuals must forgo the idea that I create, I own, therefore I must benefit, to I create, you improve and therefore we all benefit.

Yes, I wanted to be praised for my idea....

I had a conversation with a friend who pointed out that, as a creator of content you have a vision for your creation. Or as they stated, “I don’t want to create something and have you come along and reinterpret it.”

The following is an excerpt of our conversation.

Me: How do you feel about retweets?

Friend: I’m totally against editing someone else’s tweet. Actually, I would just prefer you not edit mine, create a great tweet and receive praise.”

Me: So you tweet for the praise?

Friend: Yes-yes, I do.

Me: Are you serious? So if you had an idea someone could make better, you would have an issue because you wouldn't get all of the credit?

Friend: No comment.

End.

Go ahead, make my product better!! I really want you to.

Personally, I look forward to the day when an individual can receive credit for their work, and where the use of that work to create a new product isn't really frowned upon. The evolution of the things we love most have come through an individual chopping, cutting and remixing an idea and creating something new.

Traditional spaghetti sauce is not chunky, meaty, or garden variety but these styles of spaghetti sauce are loved by the masses. Apple is innovative in that they take what has already been out and make it user friendly and customizable by their users. Apple didn’t invent the mp3 player they just made it better; by building on a previous idea.

I would fear to think that if someone created or wrote a masterpiece they would block an individual making further improvements. Progress requires the laying down of one’s ego and saying, “I created this and now I give it to you(society) to do with what you wish.” I personally think that the fear of someone stealing my idea, in regards to produsage, will not deter me from creating something that someone else can take and make even better.

We the people....

We're inundated daily by people claiming to be experts and some we give credibility to therefore ascending them to that position.

But how do we know they are what they say they are?

Strip away that look about them, their charisma or lack their of, the product or information that they're presenting and what do you have?

We the people.... give birth to the expert by believing them to be what they say they are.

But do we the people believe each other in determining what makes an individual an expert?