SlideShare is now social (it has spam)

One of my favorite definitions of “social computing” is Clay Shirky’s quip:

Social software is stuff that gets spammed

Well if that’s the case, now even share-my-powerpoints site SlideShare (follow me there) is officially social.

Here’s an email I got yesterday via SlideShare:

Hi jeckman,

jane209 sent you a private message on SlideShare.

******
hi I am jane,single girl looking for honest and nice person, whom I can partner with.I don’t care about your color or ethnicity.I’m sending you this beautiful mail,with a wish for much happiness. I am looking forward to hear from you. Write me on (janegab42@yahoo.com)God bless. thanks jane
******

You can reply to jane209’s message by clicking here.

Now, as much as I like the sentiment that Jane209 is looking for someone with whom she can “partner,” that she doesn’t care about my color or ethnicity, and that she wishes me much happiness, I’m going to have to go with the “report as spam” link on that one.

Web Content 2008 Chicago

I’m in Chicago today (and yesterday) for Web Content 2008. It’s a nice, smaller conference – about 150 attendees or so, with very strong content (as you might expect) and good opportunities to meet, talk to, and network with the speakers and other attendees. The focus this year is on “Web 2.0 and it’s impact on Web Communication” so there’s been lots of interesting discussion.

I got in late yesterday due to some flight issues, but managed to catch three good presentations.
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