The internet is truly amazing. With so many social networks popping up regularly and taking the virtual world by storm, you currently have social networks for many different categories branching into many tiny niches. Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Multiply, Friendster, WAYN, Tripadvisor, Hi5, Tagged…etc you name it, the internet has it! There are too many to list here. Most people should not have problem with updating their network, that is if they only have one or a few social network accounts. However, the main problem comes when you have too many. Besides having so many passwords to remember, you need a lot of time and energy to update every single one of them and also to network with other people. Not to mention the confusion caused when logging in and updating every single detail.

In my previous post on “Do You Twitter?“, i mentioned and introduced this handy tool for updating your status. Currently in the virtual world, most social networks have their own status updates. Logging into every single one of them to update your status can be a real hassle. As much as i wish there is an existence of a ultimate social network status updater that updates all your social networks at once. Sad to say, there are currently none at the moment since more and more social networks are popping up every now and then. But if there is a way to update most of your social networks at once, will you still use it? If you have a lot of social network accounts, then you better learn to use this tool that i be introducing here, this will be your life buoy that will save you tons of time.

“Ping.fm” This is the tool i am talking about all the while. I came about to know this tool when it was announced by one of the internet marketers. With it, you will be able to link up most of your social networks and “ping” them all at once. “Ping!” What’s that anyway? I am actually referring to updating all the social networks you link up with this tool. “Ping” here, is a term or jargon use to “Inform”.

Ever since i started using this tool a few months back, my life has been so much easier, especially the time i saved and the added convenience. This handle tool also allows you to integrate your chatting platforms such as MSN, Yahoo! Messenger… etc with Ping.fm, to allow “pinging” all your social networks you linked on it by sending your message to the robotic friend you added onto your chat platform. How cool is that?

What are you waiting for? Start your PING PING days now and save tons of time and energy to do the things you want!

Click here to create a free account with Ping.fm

The cause of the recent buzz in the internet world before the outbreak of the swine flu, and after one of the most disastrous global financial crisis a few months ago and now back again, is Twitter. Most internet savvy people have already jumped on the wagon and started tweeting away. Some people are already famous and making tons of money with this amazing tool, while there are some malicious people who used Twitter as a way to vent their frustrations with rumours and unproven accusations on innocent victims. Even the media and press have broadcast this handy little tool. If you are not using twitter yet, you will be left behind before you know it. It is becoming more popular and lucrative every day. Don’t end up being a twirgin and start tweeting like a bird right away!

What is Twitter anyway?

Twitter is a simple tool for you to update your current status on what you are doing … etc in short texts or what you call “tweets” in twitterology, with a maximum allowance of 140 characters. Now, some of you may start to question the logic behind it since there are already so many social networks with in build status updates such as Facebook, MySpace, Friendster …etc Besides, it seems rather ridiculous to tell other people what you are doing from changing the babys’ diapers to doing your business in the toilets, it’s none of their business anyway.

Now let’s keep an open mind on this subject. The things you can do with this tool is truly amazing. That is if you use it the right way or you may just want to share with strangers what is actually happening in your life. It can be stupid and silly to keep posting rubbish on your updates, but with the past events that had happened, such as the emergency landing of the US airways air craft on Hudson’s bay, it has escalated the usefulness on how we should really use Twitter. The latter event has news spread like wildfire even before the media and press has first hand report on the current situation of the plane as some people on board the “dying” air craft has posted them on Twitter. However, this also means that people can be posting wrong news and cause global misinformation quickly if we are not careful.

The problems with social networks, are simply because they have too many distractions such as games, photos, advertisements..etc While on Twitter, there are only short 140 words maximum tweets. It is more focused on the micro postings, therefore, the chances of it being read is very high. It is also more obvious if you want people to know what you are doing currently, as compared to other social networks available online. Business owners may even broadcast short tweets on Twitter to assist them in their marketing efforts.

Why is Twitter so popular?

Famous celebrities have started tweeting, the latest addition to this twitter craze is the famous TV host Opera Winfrey. Most of us, unless you are some caveman living on a deserted island will know that the Iphone has lots of applications that can be used with it. Twitter on the other hand has many applications that can be used with it as well. You have applications with the function to mass follow people, mass unfollow people, check your ranking in Twitter and even your ranking according to your geographic location, join twitter groups of interest, twitter business listings that act like business directories and so much more. Truly, we are spoiled by choices. So what’s holding you back? Try it now, but a word of advice though… This tool can be very very addictive!

To find out more on Twitter, click here.

To follow me on Twitter, click here.

*Suggested Reading

Twitter Power by Joel Comm. Have a kindle? Click Here instead

When planning for trips, you will need all the help you can get to make things more convenient, easier and efficient especially when you are going on long, free and easy trips that require lots of planning and organizing. If we are still living in some third world country or some remote island with no internet access, then maybe you will find it extremely difficult to plan, organize and execute a trip. Now there is no excuse since there are so much free tools and information available online that allows every single one of us who are net savvy, smart enough and willing to learn to use them.

One of the tools that i used for my UK & Italy trip is TripIt. I discovered this tool when i was using LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals to exchange contacts, search for new job opportunities, joint venture partnerships…etc.

TripIt is being offered as a add on widget for LinkedIn, but by itself, it is also a separate online travel iternary planner that you can use without having to join LinkedIn if you do not wish to do so. This is one amazing planning tool which has appeared on the media such as CNN, that you can use to assist in planning your trips. Best of all, it’s FREE to use now, life is just so good! All you have to do is input the important details for the trip, like dates of departures and arrivals, flight details, hotel details…etc TripIt allows privacy features which allows you to set the visibility mode of the trip, allowing those involved in the trip or you feel that should know about the important details of your trip such as the whereabouts of your location be informed. This is useful since you may wish to reveal the trip or period of travelling only to your business partners and more detailed sensitive information of your trip only to your family or specific individuals ( eg. Flight details, hotel details…etc ). This becomes particularly useful in the event of unforeseen circumstances of mishap such air flight crashes..etc. Basically you allow those who you choose, to view the details of your trip by sharing a link that can be generated on your TripIt planned trip iternary page. Besides, Tripit helps to organize your data and provides additional help like weather forecasts, maps…etc Another particular feature that is very convenient and useful, is the reminder email that is sent when your planned trip is about to begin. In this new age of technology, smart phones such as blackberrys, Iphones…etc allows you to receive and check emails instantly in a breeze. I personally find that this tool has made my life so much easier when it comes to travelling. It is so convenient to use as i have a LinkedIn account to network with professionals around the globe. TripIt has allowed me to share my travel plans if i want to with important business associates. This is a handy travelling planning tool for business people who are on the move all the time.

To find out more about TripIt, click here.

To add me on TripIt, click here.