Google going to use Gmail as Social Media?

if true, potentially huge development as this mashable article rightly suggests--but the question really comes down to whether or not Google is trying to compete with fb and twitter or join their party (well, twitter's party is hardly on par with fb's but still...).

if the fb/google war is still on (and there's nothing to indicate it isn't) than we're probably talking competitor...

tbd

Social Media Mistakes

Social media is of course the it-thing. It's hot, it's now, it's Charlie. And figuring out how, where, why and when to use is of paramount importance, if you ask me. Careful, strategic thinking and planning is required--you can't just get your company a facebook page and start talking to your customers. You gotta be careful and smart--and it's gotta make sense and offer something useful to your customers. And you'll need time and help to do this.

Some of these ideas (and more) are explored in this bnet article--check it out.