Facebook and Twitter: Useful Engineering Tools?

ohhh geeze...

I'm gonna twitter on your facebook at myspace.

Interesting question. I work for a large automotive parts supplier and there was recently an e-mail from IT head office (US) with instructions on how to apply to have Facebook and Youtube unblocked from the Internet Explorer filter........ closely followed by an e-mail from the UK IT manager saying not to bother applying 'cos it won't be authorised. I guess Facebook could be used to exchange ideas and build contacts with knowledgeable people (much like the CR4 forum) and there probably a few videos on Youtube showing stuff like useful techniques and tips for machining for example.

Neither of these strike me as "fun." It would be good if a more serious function could be found for them... aside from revolution. Wouldn't matter to me, though, as I don't use either.

I have no use, personal or professional, for Facebook and Twitter. Two huge time-wasters.

YouTube, however, is a gold mine. Lots of good work related stuff. Our I.T. department blocks all streaming video, social/sports/news websites and anything with "shopping" in it. I can't get to some supplier catalogues.

Bah.

while we're listing time wasters don't forget Linkedin

I think LinkedIn is in a slightly different category. It is more or less reserved for "Professional" networking, and should simply be used as such. I have had multiple (3) Serious Job offers directly due to my presence on LinkedIn. I turned them all down, but it was nice to be wanted.

Linkedin just like FB & twitter can be useful

but has mostly devolved into idle banter

I get messages on linkedin from random people, trying to friend me or invites to different groups, I have all of it go to a folder so I can do a quick scan for anything of note & delete enmass

as you say

occasionally I get a job offer or other interesting contact

I couldn't say if Facebook or Twitter could be useful engineering tools as I don't use either. I don't know what I would gain by investing any time (aka life) on either of them.

Maybe I'm missing something fantastic but somehow I doubt it.

LinkedIn was mentioned in this thread as an alternative "time waster" and I figure CR4 could be a candidate as well.

Are all time wasters the same I wonder?

I participate in LinkedIn discussions, read the whitepapers, scan the industry news(new tech, new projects, new budgets, new suppliers, new customers, new regulatory issues, new policies...), chat to mates around the globe, do some mentoring (soft marketing), browse the help wanted adds and that's enough to make it an engineering tool I guess..

When you receive an invitation to connect you can check the profile of the person inviting you. I don't get many that are totally non beneficial and you choose who you want to connect with depending on the circumstances.

LinkedIn also provides a good gauge (a gauge is a tool) for where you fit in to your professional group. Niche identification. Also lets you scope out where competencies might be lacking.

Can Facebook or Twitter do that? I don't know.

My daughter operates a business on Facebook. I couldn't do that on LinkedIn. Different client base perhaps? Different demographic probably.

Is there anybody in CR4 who can explain what Facebook and Twitter are, explain their unique capabilities and how these capabilities might benefit a user?

Is CR4 an engineering tool? I think so.