While I have no problem with business networks like Linked-In and Plaxo, and web 2.0 tools like Slideshare and Trip-It, and see the great value they have to offer, I still have a great disdain for social networks like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter (and that’s why I’m faceless, spaceless, and twitter free) which have yet to bring useful applications to the table.

Even though you can argue that these networks do have some useful features, as Facebook allows you to create groups, MySpace allows you to share video (like YouTube and its YouTube channels), and Twitter allows you to post (tiny) urls to job openings and useful articles, the fact of the matter is that these sites are just filled with too much junk and too many distractions to truly allow you to be productive (unless you have the wavering focus of a hungry Indian cobra). I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be poked, prodded, bitten, shaken, and stirred when I’m trying to learn about cost reduction best practices; I don’t want to be pinged, walled, or buzzed when trying to watch an interview with a logistics expert; and I certainly don’t want to hear about someone’s latest foray to the restroom when trying to find a link to an article on procurement performance. Thus, I was thrilled to see this recent Industry Week Analysis that 76% of companies are now choosing to block social networking sites because while business networking sites, when properly used, can be good for business … having you constantly distracted at work isn’t good for anyone. Maybe that makes me an old fogey who should just go fuddle-duddle, but as you know, sometimes I just don’t care.