I have to say that, really and truly, no one can ban anyone from tweeting or blogging about a presentation, provided the tweeter or blogger does not violate any copyright laws. This would be a violation of free speech, which is protected by the Constitution. That’s why I was baffled that presenters stated this ban on blogging/tweeting. To me, it’s just a silly request that doesn’t make much sense. To be honest, the only presentation that I attended that did request no blogging/tweeting was probably the worst one I attended, so maybe that explains it. She didn’t want anyone stating anything bad about her less than exciting presentation.

I feel the greatest benefit for using social media is to the individual researcher!

Individuals are connecting with ideas that they have not considered before. Social media opens avenues of communication to people who have no idea that there is help out there.

My greatest thrill is to see the “Light” turn on for others. It is gratifying to help newbies connect with the right sources, people, technology, and techniques that help them to successfully locate, document, and share their family tree. Not everyone can afford to get to a large event. Social media is an awesome tool that facilitates the learning process and inspires individuals to the benefit of gathering with like minded people.

Bloggers, tweeters, and other social media users are discovering their family history on a daily basis and they are sharing it with the world instantly. It is exciting to see this open sharing attitude and it is more exciting to see the collaboration that is taking place. I have met many wonderful, helpful, insightful, and knowledge seeking individuals who delight in teaching others.

Personally, I love social media and use it every day. I’m thrilled at all the wonderful friends and acquaintances I have made through this medium. My life is better for it and I believe others have benefit as well.

One last thought about Tweeting and Facebooking from the Expos: We work hard to pull together some of the best genealogy and family history programs possible. As the promoter I rarely get to attend classes! Can you believe that!?? (Yes, Paula I know you can ) I love Twitter and Facebook most because while I am busy in the exhibit hall, at the registration booth, solving tech problems, or just visiting with attendees I can hear that little “bling” from the cell phone in my pocket. That little “bling” tells me that someone is connecting with the Expo and connecting with others to share the info that just may propel them forward in their research and I can’t wait to read all about it! I don’t have to wait until I get home to read the evaluation cards to fine out how we did. I am learning what is working and what’s not in real time. When I hear that “bling” I smile and know that yes, we are making a difference.

Thank you genealogy bloggers, tweeters, and social media nuts! You make my world better! I love to learn and I love to share.

For me, instant gratification is not quick enough! But we’re getting close!

In developing our social media policy, the Board of Directors attempted to address the concerns of all of the parties — speakers, Jamboree attendees, and the various social media audiences. I hope that we succeeded.

Since our first Blogger Summit in 2008, Jamboree has had a strong, positive partnership with bloggers and other users of social media. We enjoyed highlighting the new form of communication, when most of the notable bloggers could all be seated at a panel table. And it goes without saying that the bloggers and Facebookers and podcasters and tweeters have been invaluable in Jamboree’s growth.

In our 2010 satisfaction survey, only one respondent commented about being distracted by clicking noises of keyboards. With over 500 responses to our post-Jamboree survey, I’d say that was pretty good.

That said, I do like the idea of having Tweeters and Facebookers seated at the side or rear of a lecture room.

I did not go to #FGS10 and I was disappointed that there wasn’t more information coming out of the conference. I was hoping to live vicariously through the experiences of others. Next time, maybe.

Thanks for a great topic.

I also think that those of us who are strong advocates for the benefits of social media in the genealogical community need to be especially careful to be polite and considerate of others. We’ve all had that accidental (and mortifying) ringing-phone incident at least once, but in general, we have to make sure we’re not adding to the perception that we’re being rude (although I still don’t get how blogging is rude, but taking notes isn’t. How can you even tell the difference?).

As a journalist first and blogger second, I see no difference between press coverage, blogging and tweeting. It is all free publicity for the event.

While I do attend many conferences, some I just can’t get to due to distance, so yes, I did read the FGS blogposts and tweets to stay in touch.

While I think that there should be limits on posting a presenter’s complete program, how can tweets hurt due to their limited character count? Who has time to tweet every sentence of a particular program?

I’ve also experienced the ringing cellphone and people who couldn’t find their phone to turn it off. One one occasion, it was my own phone, so I apologize to everythere there.

Media policies need to be carefully crafted. Publicity for that event (and future editions) is generated by tweets and blogposts and encourages people to attend those events in the future. All conferences benefit from the increased exposure.

As a journalist and a blogger, I don’t see the difference. More people interested in genealogy will read Tracing the Tribe’s blogposts than an article in a local paper written by someone who doesn’t know the first thing about genealogy and may well get it mostly wrong!

I barely have time for blogging from a conference and rarely write separate tweets, but my blogposts are linked to and automatically appear on both Facebook and Twitter.

If a presenter has given permission for the event to record a lecture, they cannot complain about journalists and bloggers/tweeters. Those who do not give recording permission are fearful of unique presentations being copied, I believe, and that may be a legitimate reason.

I was strongly reprimanded by one person at a recent conference about the fact that my fast typing on my little netbook was disturbing her.

Perhaps conferences should set aside a section in presentation rooms for journalists and bloggers (with electrical outlets!) where we won’t disturb each other typing away.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at NGS, Jamboree, IAJGS and many others.

Schelly Talalay Dardashti
Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog
http://tracingthetribe.blogspot.com