Like Ice Cream? Well, not exactly, but this video definitely helps explain the concept of Social Media.

It's not the best explanation, but it helps.  The main message is that social media brings social behaviors like recommendations from friends to the online world.  We all like to get and give recommendations, and the more we hear about something from others, the more likely we are to check it out.  Also, social media allows niche interests to find each other.  "Oh, you like pistachio ice cream too?"

If you still aren't sure about what Social Media is, and if you have 4 minutes to spare, this will help.

 

 

The tipping point is in sight for Open Social, the Open API for social networking initiated by Google, which is supported and promoted by an increasing number of of Social Media titans.

Open Social Primer/Tutorial: Open Social is an emerging standard API for social apps.  It allows sites that support it to support any app or widget that uses Open Social.  This is great for the users and great for the app/widget builders, but it diminishes the advantages of the social networks that use it because their users can get similar apps/widgets/services on other networks that support Open Social. Despite this, none of the really big networks can ignore Open Social because all their competitors will adopt it which will eventually shift the balance of power.

The following graph demonstrates the growth potential for second and thrid-tier social networks that adopt Open Social.

 

CNET's story is here Ning's Open Social support goes live.