‘Live web’ is the big issue

The recent ‘New Media Summit’ in Sydney, Australia, largely missed what I consider to be the biggest issue facing communicators today – the ‘live web’.

There were outstanding sessions on how our role is changing dramatically to include social media skills – and some eye-catching demonstrations on the many new tools at our fingertips. 

However, no speakers touched on the change of the web from a static electronic library, to a live and real time life resource.

Twitter’s real time search facility received a quick mention, along with Google’s blog search, but I wanted to hear a lot more about the live web.  I’m excited about the prospect of the web moving from a static research tool, to something that tells me exactly what is happening now ….. at any given moment, about any given subject. 

Rather than going to a select site like Facebook to see photos and information AFTER the event, I want the web to take me  - via the iPhone or whatever – to the event as it happens. I don’t care if it is journalists Twittering from the  activity; politicians micro-blogging; or ordinary citizens ….. as long as it is real time.

And, to be honest, I never did care about ‘friends’, ’status updates’ or fans, although I don’t have anything against those ‘old web’ activities. But, take  a look at Peoplebrowsr or  spend time to examine Twitter search - and you may understand what I’m saying. One thing is for sure, by the time the next ‘New Media Summit’ rolls around, I’m pretty certain that ‘live web’ will be one of the big issues for professional communicators — if not THE big issue.

Ian