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Hello, I am Kevin Brand a proud new member of AARP. This is my second edition of my journal called the “Internet Insider.” In each journal posting I share my experience and "insider" know-how to help AARP members have the best possible experience on the Internet.

This issue is about the basics of Social Networking. You probably already know a bit about this topic since AARP’s Online Community is a great example of social networking.

While you’ve likely heard the buzz about social networking, you may feel a little bit left out when you hear people discussing other social networking Web sites like MySpace and Facebook.

You might be asking yourself, “Why should I join the world of social networking?” and “How do I know where to begin?” You may also be concerned about sharing your personal thoughts and information with people you don’t know. Though social networking can be a public experience with many, it can also be a private experience where you control who can view your page or profile.

Sites like Facebook are getting the most buzz right now, but there are hundreds of different activity-based sites that contain elements of social networking. In fact, you are probably already doing things in your everyday routine that could be made easier through a Web site with social networking capabilities.

The tough question is – what social networking site is best for you? Maybe this will help. I have identified seven different personalities and the types of social networking that might fit into their chosen activities:

1) The Connector- These are the people who still send holiday cards to high school classmates, and they always get a phone call when an old friend is passing through town. They’ve kept up with address changes and have probably upgraded from their little black book to an email contact list, but there’s still one or two people who they’ve fallen out of touch with over the years.

Where to start: Why not increase those connections with Reunion.com or Classmates.com? These sites can help you find the people you’ve been wondering about and you can even start a group for your high school or college class. Or, through LinkedIn.com you can connect with your co-workers, colleagues, and other business contacts who have similar interests or business goals. You can share your latest digital photos by putting them on-line at www.flickr.com or www.snapfish.com and then inviting your friends to view the pictures. You can restrict the viewing to those you share the information with if you prefer.

2) The Organizer - This is the person who always plans the get-togethers and outings for their friends and family.

Where to start: Using www.evite.com or www.anyvite.com could take your organizing skills to a whole new level. Invited guests can see replies from others, and you can post information for the entire group rather than answering each question via email. With Anyvite, you’ll even get a link to your invite that you can post anywhere you’d like.

3) The Adventurer - These people love finding new golf courses to visit, and they’re always looking for a new vacation spot that even the Travel Channel hasn’t discovered. They always visit Google to search for info on travel destinations, and they know how all the best courses are ranked according to Golfer’s Digest.

Where to start: Believe it or not, there are people out there just like you, and there is no one better to give you the inside scoop on the latest and greatest vacation spots. Visit www.lonelyplanet.com to read what others have to say about thousands of travel destinations all over the world, or try out www.19thhole.com to get input from golf enthusiasts across the country. Don’t forget to check out hotel ratings from others like you at any of the major travel sites, such as www.expedia.com or www.hotel.com.

4) The Expert - Their friends and family are always calling and emailing to ask for advice about one or more particular areas of expertise.

Where to start: You already spend a good deal of time responding to emails, so why not start a blog or online journal that will give great tips and advice to your friends and family? Some of the most well-known sites include www.blogger.com and www.wordpress.com . You can set up your blog to be open to the internet world or private for only those you invite.

5) The Shopper - These are the people who rotate the contents of their closet like Macy’s rotates inventory with each change of season. They are always looking for the best deals on purchases of all kinds, and they know how to make a killing on that “vintage” big screen that you’ve been trying to unload for six months.

Where to start: You’re probably already using sites like ebay and www.overstock.com , but have you tried www.craigslist.com or www.oodle.com to see what your frugal friends are auctioning off this month? And look for discounts on pages like http://deals.earthlink.net .

6) The Romantic - These people are always in search of a coffee date or a new love interest with which they can share their favorite Italian restaurant.

Where to start:   You’ve probably tried some of the more traditional dating Web sites, but have you heard of activity-based dating services, www.WannaGo.com and www.singlesadventures.org ? Try these sites to meet people with your interests – you can hike and meet your next dinner date at the same time! And you can make your dinner reservations at opentable.com.

7) The Socializer – These are the people that like to share their lives with their friends and keep up with the latest scoop.

            Where to start: You’ve probably heard of others using Facebook. It used to be just for college kids, but this social restriction no longer applies. It’s easy to sign up at www.facebook.com and then search for your current or long lost friends. You can add pictures, thoughts, and updates on your life. You can restrict viewing to only those friends you select, so don’t worry about your information being open to the world.

So, let go of any “this is not for me” notions of social networking. Sit back, relax and get ready to connect with old friends, make new acquaintances, ask for advice and share your expertise with the world.

Feel free to share your Internet stories with me and the rest of the AARP online community. More importantly, please let me know how I can help you have a better Internet experience.