Update: View NetGear’s Lunch 2.0 photos here …including some that I took as well!

I like going to Lunch 2.0’s. Everytime its a new experience and I’ve really become comfortable with meeting new people. Its starting to come more naturally now, which is GREAT! I even brought along Michael Sykora, one of my highschool friends, a recent grad at SJSU, so he can join the fun!

So the food was good, and the aprons were even cooler! Although, I liked the live demonstration, I was too busy taking pictures of everyone’s reactions.

I had some good conversations as well, which is important. Lots of them were around social media, while some were on other things like chocolate since Brian Stephens is the chocolate blogger! In fact, all the chocolate talk got Lisa and Michael both craving some dessert! Even Jeremy Pepper provided his two cents and told us that dark chocolate is a girl’s thing (although, Lisa likes milk-chocolate the most). Either way, Jeremy is a very energetic and entertaining guy…check out his pics! I also met Robyn Tippins for the first time, that was a surprise. I’ve only talked with her through blogging, but seeing her in person was great.

Ah, I cannot forget about bubilicious team who I even got a chance to talk with. Take a look at the video below, I’m on around the 5:15 minute mark and lead to just about the end…please visit here.

What a fun day! Im looking forward to the next lunch 2.0 event in June! And I hope to see you there as well!

…oh! pictures to come soon, I just misplaced my camera…ill find it!

Ive come across a Virtual Barbershop, that is quite amazing.  Its sounds like you’re actually getting a haircut.

Anyways, I believe this is one step closer to the future of web 2.0.  We are getting close, and who knows maybe it’ll be virtual 2.0 soon.  Ive just been on the search for what’s next and although I know this is not the next best thing in web, its pointing us to the right direction.

Listen for yourself!

Did you like it?

Thanks for everyone who visited my post on Facebook and MySpace, especially Jeremiah who devoted a single post to me.

I’ve set a milestone for me, as I became the 6th fastest growing WordPress blog! This is a big step for me as I continue to engage myself in the blogosphere.

Take a look at this:

Now I just need to keep writing to keep all of you coming back. But, I just wanted to thank all of your for comments and support!

Cheers!

Facebook seems to be a hot topic everywhere I look. Right now, Im sitting at my old school library, and it’s amazing how many people are on facebook when you look around. This is just an observation, but its a trend that I’m seeing more and more! But is it a fad? Will it just fade away…Im guessing that Facebook is here to stay.

Yet, its main competition, MySpace, could prevent Facebook from being the leader! Now, Im not too concerned about number of users or even how much money they bring in compared to MySpace, but instead, what value they add. Are they serving a greater purpose than MySpace? Let’s try to bottle down the key features of both facebook and myspace to see:

Provides a legitimate social networking platform

• MySpace: Yes, but who is part of the network? Probably, friends you met at a party, someone who is in your class, someone you think is cute, or spam.
• Facebook: Yes, and although the network could be any of the above, it also includes colleagues and business professionals. That’s the difference! The network on Facebook is a lot more professional and older. Obviously, MySpace has its own niche, but will this survive the rapid popularity of Facebook?

Provides an opportunity to show one’s personality

• MySpace: Yes, all power is in the hands of the creator. This is something MySpace has mastered! And the younger generation loves it! But, does it get old? Well, I know my sister loves MySpace and so do my parents, but what about my generation? Where do we go? FACEBOOK…but can facebook keep my generation for long?
• Facebook: No, theres not much room for creativity. Of course this is the intention, but is it the right strategy? I know its great for my generation, but will it withstand the generation swings? Can Facebook keep people like me interested?

Web 2.0?

• MySpace: Although, I’d say that MySpace has some good web 2.0 widgets, its just not up to par. Then again, this might not be their strategy. But, this could put them significantly behind competition if they dont keep up because their users are evolving…and they need to be aware of this.
• Facebook: Absolutely! I like the whole idea about the Feeds (although some think its a bit invasive). Plus now you can import flickr photos directly to facebook!

Here to stay?

• MySpace: Yes, but for who? I feel like MySpace is very niche, either you like it or you dont! Can this keep them the top social networking site? Im not too sure
• Facebook: Face it, we are all on it or at least talking about it. Even the Community Evangelist at LinkedIn, Mario Sundar, has a facebook account. AND even Jeremiah, who asked the question if he really needs it since he already has LinkedIn and his blog, signed up and is adding friends.

What does everyone else think?

I’ve been talking about Social Media lately, now here’s an awesome opportunity to meet Mario Sundar and his team at LinkedIn for Lunch 2.0 on May 23rd

My last lunch 2.0 event was at Hitachi Data Systems, where Jeremiah hosted the unforgettable Web Expo + Lunch 2.0! So I’m excited for my next lunch 2.0 experience.

Here’s the details on the upcoming lunch 2.0 party at LinkedIn:

Location: LinkedIn
Address: 2029 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA 94043
Date: Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007. 12:00PM - 1:30PM

Please RSVP here or you can use Upcoming

Bring your digital and video cameras! I hope to see everyone there…I’m sure some of you will be live streaming!

 Can we say “Lunch 2.0 May Madness”?

Not one, but two lunch 2.0’s this month. First, we have LinkedIn, and second we have NetGear’s Lunch 2.0

What interests me about NetGear is I haven’t really seen them reach out to the community and the blogosphere. So I’m anxious to see what they have in store for us.

Here’s the details:

Location: Netgear, Inc.
Address: 4500 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Date: Wed, May 30^th 2007
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm

It’s been told that we will have an opportunity to see some of their new products as well as being treated with some good BBQ!

Please RSVP here

I hope to see everyone there at this NetGear Expo! Who knows you might even get interviewed or be caught on candid camera since PodTech will be there taping all the action!

Update:  Jeremiah is going to lunch 2.0…he’ll probably be the one streaming live video!  You can’t miss it! 

Before we continue any further, I need to first make a disclaimer: I admit that I’ve somehow joined the social networking internet craze, starting from Xanga, leading to MySpace, then to my blog, and now I’m pretty interested in Facebook.

In fact, this is precisely what has got me wondering about the MySpace generation. Yes, the majority of them are still using MySpace, but I’m not worried about them, I’m most interested in those early adopters who are moving drifting away into something else.

Now, what is happening exactly? I’m not too sure, but first lets take a look at how MySpace is evolving (from 2005 through 2006).

Below is a table depicting the trend in users by age group (numbers are percent of users):

*Source: comScore

Interestingly, the so-called “MySpace Generation” group is not the age group adding the most users (instead the number of users if actually declining). MySpace is actually adding more users who are around my parents’ age.

From the ages 12-24, MySpace is experiencing a 14% decline in users. What’s this due to? Where are they going? Here’s what I think…

• Some users are just dropping off. They just completely lost interest or got too busy for MySpace. It’s not for everyone, so this is expected.
• Facebook came along. Facebook has always been around since MySpace, but perhaps these users want a more sophisticated social networking site. Facebook provides an opportunity to network with fellow classmates and in the future fellow co-workers.
• The rise of LinkedIn. This really takes Facebook to the professional level because its mainly used by business professionals to stay connected with people they’ve worked with or friends/family. Users can post resumes, job experiences, post job openings, and in some cases apply for job positions. My buddy Mario, as the Community Evangelist, started a LinkedIn blog, check it out.
• The Blogosphere. There might be a select few who have transitioned to blogs, although, its not one of the more popular choices.
• There’s something I’m missing. As always, some users are on to the next BIG thing. But what is that? Could it be video?

I’m very curious to see where the MySpace generation will end up…including where I’ll end up.

Some interesting stories on social media:

• MySpace is kind of the new Microsoft
• MySpace took Photobucket from Google (Google chose Video-YouTube instead)
• Facebook believes in the marketing power of Social Media

I’ve been thinking a lot about Social Media and why its so valuable. So, I’ve noted the top 5 reasons why I think Social Media works today.

Top 5 Reasons Why Social Media Works

1. Normal, everyday people are given the opportunity to reach out of their comfort zone and explore new areas of interest, meet new people, and take risks
2. Users have control over what they do and accomplish online. Their destiny is in their own hands; they can be who they want, when they want
3. Its not a fad, but a trend that works. Its a concept that attracts users and will continue to until social media 2.0 comes out
4. Possibilities are endless. Who would of thought MySpace would have been so successful? What about YouTube? These platforms are just the beginning, and soon users will have the tools to do just about anything.
5. Social Media is easy. Its easy to use, easy to set up, and if done right, easy to make money.

Social Media is growing and is continually being used by businesses to attract new users. But, I think what’s most important is this marks a change in how the internet is being used. The internet has evolved, businesses have evolved, and users have evolved.

Internet, Businesses, and Users are the key to Social Media

Social Media is the one platform where all of these three aspects can come together and converse. Now that they’ve started interacting, we need ways to enhance their communication. The relationship and foundation has been built, but now is when creativity and technology need to interlock. As we discussed earlier, the possibilities are endless, but executing these ideas is key.

What’s Next for Social Media?

I definitely believe video is the next best, not just video recording, but live streaming. People want instantaneous change, they want to see things on the fly, right when they happen. We’ve come a long way, but I think we still have a few more steps to take.

Just imagine if the first people to walk on the moon had live streaming, how awesome would that be? Or how about the presidential election? Ah ha, there’s an idea!

What does your top 5 list look like?