tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488879425900650696.post6182650410831851424..comments2023-08-09T04:33:01.170-05:00Comments on The Hourglass Blog: Networking in a BoxEric Lankehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02955772930132857028noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488879425900650696.post-12882439702382669212010-03-23T12:30:54.486-05:002010-03-23T12:30:54.486-05:00Thanks for the comment, Maggie. Your thoughts on t...Thanks for the comment, Maggie. Your thoughts on the privacy that comes with networking "within a closed box" is something I certainly overlooked when composing my post. There is real value in that, and it's probably something more associations who are contemplating "open vs. closed" social networking platforms should think carefully about.Eric Lankehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449320263122144776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488879425900650696.post-31710732787822972622010-03-23T08:00:39.655-05:002010-03-23T08:00:39.655-05:00Good post--I'm glad Deirdre's blog led me ...Good post--I'm glad Deirdre's blog led me to yours. I remain divided about the value of white label networks. Basically I think that in some situations they work great and in some, not as well or even not at all.<br /><br />I personally have WAY too many "outposts" to visit/remember logins for. However, when there is something of value in one of the "boxes" it's worth it to me. What makes it "worth it" to me--a person who's online 24/7? For one thing, privacy. When I want to discuss professional issues, sometimes Facebook or Twitter--or any other open platform--aren't the place because I can't speak freely there--and/or can't get the same kind of value I can get in a few closed communities I belong to. For instance, when I have issues that involve dealing with members, the last thing I want is to post about them in a public forum where other members could potentially see me complaining. So in those situations, closed boxes work well for me.<br /><br />Also, associations where the member demographic skews toward people who aren't as computer-savvy, they may not be comfortable in a more open platform but may appreciate the familiarity/security of a closed platform that looks like the web site they're familiar with. I know when we recently re-vamped our online discussion forums and they were down for a period of time and I suggested that members may want to visit our groups on Linkedin or Facebook while the boards were down, some almost had a coronary at the thought. They made it VERY CLEAR (lol) that there was NO WAY they were going to use Facebook, EVER. And yes they were that mad about the suggestion! <br /><br />Bottom line is that I think some people are more comfortable in boxes than out in the open, and sometimes even people who don't like to be boxed in can benefit from the safety of a closed community.Maggie McGaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398881693627985150noreply@blogger.com