Sometimes it’s good to remember that there are means within our grasp to better our Web Communities (image: happiness #1 by letneo). And those means are actionable by each and everyone of us. Here are ten ways to make a better web today:
2) Suggest friending someone on Twitter.
3) Use your Twitter feed to highlight others’ links.
4) Use the Creative Commons on Flickr for your images with full attribution.
5) Create a speaking spot for someone you know.
6) Highlight another blogger or social network member you admire.
7) DM that person when you see the typo and let them know (thanks, folks).
8) Remember your social friends birthdays (one I could do much better at).
9) Comment on three posts a day.
10) Instead of criticizing, make a positive suggestion to resolve perceived issue.
In short, give, and then give some more. Plant trees on other lawns. Build legends.
What suggestions would you add to this list?
Great post! I would also encourage people to find a few posts from friends every day that they really like, and submit them to site of their choice: mixx/digg/reddit
Help the little guy!
Geoff,
Great post. Simple and Lean.
Kudos to Micah (@micah) who Tweeted this post.
I like 8), the birthday thing really makes a difference.
If you’re interested Geoff, check a post i knocked up in a rash fit of crazy: 5 Rules For A Twitter Addict.
Suggestion: Take time to establish your friends. This is actionable right now, but _time_ is the key. Spend time watering the tree, nurturing the friendship.
Cheers!
Nice post Geoff. These are pretty simple steps to take, but they can definately make for a better web. One thing that I’m trying to do more is share my Google Reader on Twitter. I have Google Reader set up to share on my blog, FriendFeed, and Facebook, but I need to get in the habbit of sharing on Twitter as well. There is a Grease Monkey script that lets you do this. The link is below incase anyone is interested:
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/10169
I’ll also add that my readers like to understand how I use technologies to be more efficient (so I can educate them on new tools) AND what strategies I use in leveraging social media (see http://www.jer979.com/igniting-the-revolution/outlook-twitter-facebook-starting-a-conversation/)
And Geoff–when can I buy you that cup of coffee? ;-)
Shawnz, Stu, Melfi and Jer: All great suggestions and thanks for sharing the extra links. I love the give, give attitude.
Jer: I need to take myself for a quiet cup of coffee first! Hopefully you will be at PodCampDC?
Great article Geoff. Everyone can help to get the word out on this by showing your support on Digg:
http://digg.com/arts_culture/Ten_Ways_to_Make_the_Web_Better
How about buy some stuff off the ads on someones site? There are so many bloggers out there trying to make a living that helping someones pocketbook will really make their day.
In addition to giving others a hand-up from time to time, I like to make an extra effort promoting someone else’s post when they break new ground.
Super, duper post. Collaboration and embracing the true meaning of social media is a great way to grow online, in all directions!
Thanks!
M :-)
Some more:
- Add to the public domain
- Unblock ads for sites you like
- Block ads on big sites that are overly litigious (Fox, CNN, etc)
- Do your research before you troll
Great, useful tips…especially your wisdom on making one’s social network ‘posting’ service-centric. If there’s a chance to remove barriers for others, endorse or provide a good idea, and partner with others to be effective — take that opportunity (and create it). Online social networks are very potent tools to making all that occur. Thx again for the post.
I am glad to see that I actually do most of these things. Well, other than the birthday thing. I have a hard time remembering my family & friends.
Embed!
Have lovely music and videos for your friends and followers to enjoy right there, as they are sharing the space with you. Suggest they turn the embedded music on as they read your posts. If the key moment you want to quote from a video is not uploaded yet, well, get to work and put it up on youtube.