It seems like every day there is more “news” about online social networking something-or-others. Most people don’t care one way or the other, but since this blog is online – and you come online to read it – some of it is of interest to us. A little while back we were talking about how and why large numbers of fire and EMS people were vacating the forums and flocking over to sites like Facebook and Twitter. Many are also signing up with FirefighterNation and JEMS social websites. These last two are more specialized in their content and offer a more efficient way to communicate within the emergency community.
While I think I understand why the forums suddenly lost favor, I’m still trying to understand fully the appeal of the so-called social networks to replace them. I think a major part of it is the ability to screen out the obnoxious few that you don’t want to “listen” to. And that’s where most of the forums messed up. They didn’t adequately monitor their chat threads and allowed a very few nutjobs to drive away their membership base.
With the inter-connected network system that is evolving now, you don’t need to log into several websites to check the latest offerings, just one or two of your favorites that you can remain logged on in the background while you use your computer to do/watch other things. And that brings us around (again) to commenting on those little tabs that you are seeing on many websites, not just blogs - including this one – where you can choose to share information that you would like your friends and correspondents to see. By simply clicking once on the tab, you can forward the page that you are reading to your page on either of the two networks. Currently, this is how news is flashing around the globe as it happens. It’s an innovative way to “spread the word.”
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If you are following the men’s hockey in the Winter Olympics, today is an exciting day for the fans. Canada came into the tournament as the favorite to win the Gold, but their upset loss to USA set them back to where they had to play an extra game yesterday and win it just to stay in the playoffs. They did by beating Germany, but now they have to play again today and they will be facing off against Russia, a very formidable opponent who didn’t have to play yesterday. In fact, Firegeezer would be willing to bet a few ducats that Russia will take it all.
Team USA will be facing off against Switzerland, who played yesterday while USA rested, and if the win they will next play the winner of today’s contest between Czech and Finland. Don’t count Finland out on this one. I know that the USA v. Swiss game is being televised at 3 pm Eastern, noon Pacific today, but I need to check on the Canada v. Russia game and then get back with an update for you. It should be shown because they are two top teams and only the winner moves on.
Update: The USA v. Swiss game will be shown on NBC at 3 pm Eastern/noon Pacific.
The Canada v. Russia game will be shown on CNBC at 7:30 Eastern/4:30 Pacific. Note the time change.
Right now we need to move on and get this equipment checked out. I’ll go get the coffee started and then check that tv schedule. See you back in the day room.
Also on FireGeezer…
- Morning Lineup – May 17 – May 17, 2013
- Morning Lineup – August 23 – August 23, 2012
- Morning Lineup – February 20 – February 20, 2013
- Morning Lineup – March 6 – March 6, 2012
