Beyond Facebook

What? There’s something beyond Facebook? Come on, there will always be something beyond. Here’s an overview of five new social media sites, from FourSquare to Groupon. With Google’s Buzz in between. And Google is ruling the world:

Buzz allows users to post status updates and upload pictures and videos to a Google profile, not unlike Facebook and Twitter. A user’s network is formed by contacts they interact with frequently on Gmail.

If a user makes an update public, the information also gets added to the “Buzz” layer now available on Google mobile maps. Now, Google Maps users on iPhones and Android devices can view the things other Buzz users have said about businesses in the area.

LOOKING BACK: Wired has an on-going series of over-the-shoulder looks at technology from the past. This one tells about how AOL was bundled with frozen hams.

RUSHING TO COSTA RICA: Much has been said about Rush Limbaugh’s “threat” to move to Costa Rica if health care reform is passed. He must secretly admire those nasty “socialist” health care systems. First he praised Hawaii’s system and now he’s talking about living in Costa Rica’s. Here’s what someone says about Costa Rica’s:

This does not make sense at all: Costa Rica has the best socialized medical safety net of all central American countries, if not Latin American countries. Infinitely much better then the US system. In addition there is the government run “extra” medical insurance for people who want to be treated faster in private hospitals and clinics.

Is Rush totally ignorant? … or does he want the best of all combinations: a peaceful country, no army, great health care, great affordable education. The major bad thing: lousy drivers who are intend to kill each other by the most stupid of actions. Maybe Rush would like to join the kamikaze motorcycle drivers of this country.