More than a year ago, Claudia got to learn about Ping.sg from some blogger’s blog and it was also the period where Ping.sg was about to celebrate its first anniversary. Claudia was unsure at first whether or not to join the party as she didn’t know anyone from Ping.sg. Feeling adventurous, she signed up for it eventually and went with a girl friend of hers. Both of them had not a single idea who was going to be there.

Claudia did some homework before the party and she recognized some of the bloggers present. She was able to point out some of the people there including… Kevin, U-zyn, Arzhou, Rinaz, DK, Veron, Sheylara, Josh, Ming and a few others. Sadly, she didn’t go up to any of them to say hi. And she felt that they, being the regulars, could have approached the new faces at the event instead to make them feel welcome. She only recalled a girl (Daphne) going around trying to break-ice with everyone. The rest of the gang, well, were just being within their own gang. Claudia even wrote a not-so-good post about it but still looked forward to their 2nd anniversary.

I’ve been greatly disturbed and distracted by many things that happened lately. Now that I’ve my thoughts almost sorted out, perhaps its time for me to post it.

I was looking for a phrase or a few words to describe the mess created by bloggers. And “The Internet is DEVIL” came to mind. Seriously I blame it all to the INTERNET! Due to the convenience and speed information is being passed around the Internet, everyone’s taking advantage and many have forgotten the real world. The world where touch and smiles are exchanged.

I admit I spent too much time online. Too much time wasted on the Internet. But after witnessing so much things that could happen within such a used-to-be-closely knitted group of people. Its scaring me. Have everyone forgot about how it feels to hurt someone? Scolding and bitching about a person is so much easier online. Try doing that in real life. If you’re human, will you do this to your friends or even people whom you’re only acquittance with? Being an online gangster is much simple as you only need to use your fingers and words to kill. Really, words can kill. And worst still, online-killing can be anonymous! Use whatever nicknames you want and post comments everywhere. It allows anyone to have multiple identities. Maybe those very close to you may be the ones adding on to the fire! It’s really seriously very very scarey! Hence one should learn what to be taken seriously and what to just read-and-forget. Perhaps someone should try filming “Catch me if you can 2 – the online version”.

I have friends whom I’d met online from forums and mIRC more than 10 years ago. Up till today, we’re still friends. And I treasure these friendship. And I’m going to treasure all the new ones found on the communities I’m now active in. No matter if I’m still in the community or not. I believe real friends will never break-up due to things other friends or acquaintance say. As friends, we should trust what we see and believe in them. And not judge them based on what others say.

Very often, my instincts are almost 99% true. When I get to know someone, I’ll usually be able to tell whether or not we will ever become friends or forever remains as the “Hi! Bye!” group of friends. And the remaining 1%, its when I missed interpreted and trusted the wrong kind.

Looking at all that happened, for the past year, my instincts has been pretty accurate.

After reading Daryl’s take on the importance to name company’s bloggers, I’ve got some thoughts of my own. Since I’m one of those rare individuals with the title “Community Manager” in Singapore. (Perhaps there’s more, but I’ve not met them yet. Would love to mingle with more CMs if there’s a chance to.)

I’d wanted to leave this as a comment in his blog, but felt more appropriate posting it since it seems more like a thought than a comment. Hmm… anyway, my immediate thoughts that came to mind…

Am I the face for Yebber already?
Am I suitable to be the one in the front line of such organisation?
So what if I leave Yebber one day?
Would the community that I’ve build leave too?
Would the community change or even disappear?
So if the community moves together with the Community Manager/the blogger behind the organisation’s blog, does that mean that they’re the important element that cannot be taken lightly for?

Will elaborate on the points and thoughts later tonight or tomorrow.

While typing this post, I’ve also started a group in facebook! Talk about multi-tasking! (Yes! We GEN-Y people are great multi-taskers! Ha!) So if you’re a CM of any businesses or organisations too, why not join the group? Or tell your friends if you know any in the same line. :)

Also going to consolidate some links for reference. If you know of any interesting reads, share with me too ya. :)

• Benefits of Having a Community Manager by Connie Bensen
• On Managing A Community by Chris Brogan
• Community: From Little Things, Big Things Grow by George Oates

Prior to the show I was very excited and couldn’t wait to take lots of photos in the A380 and the supposed-to-be fantastics display at Airshow2008. But instead of enjoying it, I think we suffered more… even up till today!

Let me share my takes on this year’s not-so-well-planned Airshow… first the photos…

This was the highlight at the show, other than the infamous A380.
Everyone crowded in front of Mr Chinook Apache to get a shot with him.