Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)"Social Networking for the Older and Wiser" is an introduction to the latest internet phenomenon of social networking for those wary about becoming involved in it. Published by the Third Age Trust, the book is aimed fairly and squarely at the older reader (50+) for whom the internet may be a mysterious and potentially frightening place but which nevertheless has a very great deal to offer. The book provides a gentle and reassuring walk-through of the process of getting started safely on a number of social networking environments. The language is kept non-technical and clear throughout; the text is simple but never condescending. The pace is slow enough to be easily followed by even the most techno-phobic of readers and yet sufficiently rapid for the reader to feel they are progressing quickly in the use of what is probably the most exciting development in on-line functionality since the emergence of the World Wide Web itself. The book introduces what are probably the three most significant social networking sites of interest to its UK target audience -- Facebook, Friends Reunited and Twitter -- before moving on to look at three more specialised "niche" social networking sites, Saga Zone, Eons, Meetup and Ning.
The emphasis of the book is mostly one of reassurance and its message that social networking is not only safe but also easy and enormously beneficial, provided one approaches it properly. In that regard, this book should be a huge success. It does most of what it sets out to do reasonably well; Sean McManus seems to understand his target audience and their needs -- and anxieties -- very well indeed. There are a number of shortcomings of the book, however, which I feel will limit its usefulness for some readers.
Firstly, McManus largely skirts around the issue of what social networking is really all about. At no time does he even so much as touch upon the true usefulness of social networking sites as a means of essentially turning one's whole internet usage into a single social activity. Instead, he presents Facebook, for instance, as little more than a means of sharing photographs and news stories, and Twitter as a means of telling the world what you're doing at any moment. As a result, he essentially leaves unanswered the question which any mention of social networking so frequently raises of "yes, but what's the point of it all?" Leaving that question unanswered may indeed in fewer of its intended readers from being frightened away but, by the same token, I think it does its readers a disservice by leaving them in the dark over the true power and usefulness of social networking per se. The book does little more than scratch the surface of each of the sites it covers and never really explains how to get the most out of any of those sites, or what they really aim to provide and how they differ from each other -- it just gets you started on each and shows some of the things you might use it for.
Potential buyers should also be aware that this book will age rapidly - the section on Facebook is already out of date and may confuse some people, with the site's new user interface presenting a very different appearance from that described (and pictured) in the book. Any reasonably bright reader should have no problem coping, but many may be confused by the differences and the fact that some of the things McManus describes no longer work, or no longer work in the same way.
As a guide for safely dipping a toe into the seemingly shark-infested waters of social networking, this book can be recommended (with the caveat that some parts are out of date already). For those wanting a more detailed grounding in emerging social networking rationales and the potentialities that such sites provide (in moving the on-line experience away from the computer and integrating it more fully into everyday living, for instance), I'm afraid it may fall well short of expectations.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Social Networking for the Older and Wiser: Connect with Family and Friends, Old and New (The Third Age Trust (U3A)/Older & Wiser)
Social networks enable anyone with a computer and Internet connection to stay in touch with friends and family across the globe, and rediscover old acquaintances. Social Networking for the Older and Wiser starts with the basics of social networks, before moving onto intermediate topics, all whilst highlighting ways to protect your privacy and keep your details secure.
The book is packed with step-by-step instructions on how to use Facebook, Twitter, Friends Reunited, Saga Zone, and other social networks to:
Create an account on your chosen social network
Reconnect and stay-in-touch with old friends
Find others who share your interests and hobbies
Share messages and photos
Create your own social groups and clubs online
So what are you waiting for? Join in on the social networking phenomenon that is sweeping the globe!
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