This week we will be posting a blog discussing the the whole Social Network/Web 2.0 issue, how it is utilized, under-utilized, over-utilized, mis-utilized etc.   We are interested to see which sites you are active on, and if there are any other ones that you are on that we are missing?!?!?!

One of the older, I would call a social networking site, ERE.net, Electronic Recruiting Exchange should be on your list.....

I am a licensed civil engineer who has been regularly using Second Life and other social media tools for professional purposes such as design, networking, and education for almost 3 years now. And I probably spend about 20-30 hours a week online. My husband is also a licensed civil engineer, and occasionally participates in Second Life and uses other social media tools. We have 6 children, all of whom also participate in online communities. So far we seem to have managed to continue to function as an average family with no sign of divorce in sight. In some cases, participating in online communities such as World of Warcraft has brought us closer because it is an interest we can do together and share stories and ideas about.

As for Second Life, we do have some engineering groups in there but I have to admit I have not met a large number of civil engineers. Instead I seem to meet more architects, educators, and builders.

There could be a few reasons for this:
1)the software is not intuitive to learn so there someone has to really want to acquire this skill to be able to realize the benefits Second Life has to offer professionals - (just like so many of the other tools we learn on our job)
2) there is not a lot of talk or education about social networking and virtual worlds taking place in the civil engineering profession
3)civil engineering is a very conservative field and those working in it have been slow to adopt new technologies
4)because civil engineering has seemed to shift to more of a consultant-based profession, there will be little movement among professionals working for consultants to use anything unless it can be proven to increase profits.

I have been trying to give presentations at different conferences to help increase the understanding and use of these technologies. And I would be available to talk to you or your organization if anyone was interested.