"Technological Lock-In", Does Facebook Have It?

Reuters:

The brief history of the Internet is littered with the ghosts of Websites that people have abandoned in their relentless pursuit of something newer, faster, better and cooler.

Tech-savvy Ravasio, a 21-year-old UCLA student designing her undergraduate degree around the Internet's impact on society and communication, is irked by changes privately owned Facebook has made.

But for now, she says, Facebook is keeping her allegiance because of a concept called "technological lock-in." In other words, the site has become an essential part of her life.

"I think Facebook is the most valuable Internet commodity in existence, more so than Google, because they are positioning themselves to be our online identity via Facebook connect," Ravasio said.

"It's your real name, it's your real friends, and assuming they manage to navigate the privacy quagmire, they're poised to become your universal login," she said. "I would almost argue that Facebook is the new mobile phone. It's the new thing you need to keep in touch, almost a requirement of modern social life."

"Almost a requirement of modern social life".

We agree. Which is why we believe that Facebook, with its 350 million users worldwide, has "technological lock-in", and is why we encourage all our clients to have a (well branded) presence on the social networking giant.

b-fresh's Sarah Crawford Elected Vice Chairman Of The Manchester Republican Committee

Congratulations Sarah!

From the official Manchester Republican Committee press release:

Manchester Republican Committee Elects New Board Of Directors

Manchester, NH -- Today, the Manchester Republican Committee announced its new board of directors. The board was elected last night by Manchester Republicans.

Chairman: Cliff Hurst, Director of Business Development, Hurst & DeGraffenried Wealth Management

1st Vice Chairman: Sarah Crawford, Founder, b-fresh consulting, LLC

2nd Vice Chairman: Jean Esslinger, Vice-President, Legacy Financial Solutions, Inc.

Secretary: Kristy Roney, Minority Policy Director, NH State Senate

Treasurer: John Castelot, Financial Planner, Northeast Planning Assoc.

“I ran because I want to help Manchester’s best qualified citizens seek elected office on the Republican ticket,” Cliff Hurst, the new Committee Chairman said. “This board is committed to working with all Manchester residents to create a positive political environment that will benefit the great city we all live in.”

The new Manchester Republican Committee’s vision statement is as follows:

• To work together with all residents of the City of Manchester to create a positive political environment.

• To grow the Manchester Republican Committee’s membership by implementing an inclusive atmosphere that encourages new ideas and fresh energy.

• To promote our new Mayor Ted Gatsas and his plan for a brighter Manchester.

• To encourage our best qualified citizens to seek political office and to be a resource for them on the campaign trail.

Manchester Republican Committee meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact Cliff Hurst at 603-289-2697 or visit www.manchestergop.com

iTablet/iSlate Finally? See You In San Francisco On January 27th!

Apple will announce a major new product later this month in San Fransisco.

While we wait, tech blogs are ready to explode under the weight of all the speculation. And proving once again that Apple is a master at brand hype.

h/t DeviceMag for the picture.