LinkedIn

If you’re thinking of signing up for Twitter or Facebook to give your company a competitive edge, what I’m about to say may surprise you. It’s not strictly necessary to be involved in online networking to succeed in the business world. Don’t get me wrong, social media tools are terrific arrows in your marketing quiver, but they aren’t the right fit for every business model. Before you wade hip-deep into the social networking waters, make sure you need to be there in the first place.

Google is publicizing their Google Profiles for the first time this week. If you do a Google search for your name (and who hasn't), you'll now see your Google profile at the bottom of the search results. This is a big deal.

There's a new study out this week that claims employees are actually more productive at work when they can take short breaks throughout the day to to surf the Internet. Should companies drop Internet access restrictions and let employees Twitter away their coffee breaks?

It's difficult to get travel money for a conference. But if you're evaluating your options for cloud computing, here's a one-day event that might be worth your money and time.

In Tuesday's IT Blogwatch, Richi Jennings watches IBM's announce a boatload of news stuff for Lotus lovers. Not to mention how YouTube users can't spell or punctuate...

In today's podcast: Attack code appears after Microsoft patches flaw; Amazon offers hosted Windows Server, SQL Server services; and SAP invests in LinkedIn.

Professional social networking sites are great for your career. but don't forget that PEOPLE hire PEOPLE. Don't rule out using other social networking sites for your career as well.

In today's podcast: AOL, Yahoo step up VoIP efforts; LinkedIn looks to Europe; and LG launches thin LCD TV.

In today's podcast: Toshiba to make solid-state drives; LinkedIn opens up to outside developers; and Mobile Linux specification released.

Thanks for the add, IT Blogwatch: in which LinkedIn emerges, butterfly-like from its Web 2.0 chrysalis. Not to mention the programmer dress code...