I’ve had an account on LinkedIn for a couple of years. I’m not too sure who introduced me to the site, but I really should thank them!
Unlike FaceBook, LinkedIn doesn’t try to amuse you with ghouls, vampires, poker or other distractions. It does, however, work very well as a networking tool.
I used to connect to just about anyone who asked, however in the last few months I’ve come to see greater value in my network connections and I’ve started to revisit that. Other people who I’ve spoken to have nuked large numbers of their earlier connections for the same reason.
The value of LinkedIn lies in the concept of trust and recommendation. I can’t recommend someone unless I feel they deserve it and I won’t connect to random people unless I actually know them or want to know them.
If you want to connect to me please feel free to, but unless I know you I’d appreciate a note explaining why you want to connect.
I’ve always found it to be a bit odd. I tend to get added by random people on the basis that I work for the same multinational as them, for instance. For someone like me, there’s really very little point in it.
Incidentally, they are apparently planning to allow people to write applications for it, so I wouldn’t count on freedom from vampires indefinitely…
I like LinkedIn as it’s a very tightly focused tool. I don’t need to be “poked”, or have a Bebo-type wall. It’s nice to be able to throw the name of someone you’re trying to contact into the search engine and be able to find out who you know in common (apparently we know three people in common, Michele).
Rob
The fact that LinkedIn hasn’t been plagued with vampires and stupid quizzes is one of the reasons why I will always prefer to Facebook, Bebo and any other social networking site that may appear
Michele
I tend to use both Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook I’ll link to anbyody, LinkedIn is more ‘serious’ in that I’ll need to have met you in person (and want to recommend you in real life’ before taking the connection.