Julie and I are writing an article for Volunteer Vancouver. Basically, it’s an introduction to social media. I wanted to create a diagram which demonstrated how the average digital citizen stores a ton of data in sundry information silos on the web. Here’s what I came up with?
The blue ring, in theory, could also be someone’s blog or MySpace page. Any suggestions for improvements, modifications, deletions? Am I missing any important category of information? I could include podcasts, but then I’d have to include blogs, and the whole thing breaks down a bit.
If it’s well-received, I’ll probably also use this diagram in some upcoming presentations.
The goofy glasses photo in the centre is courtesy of Rachael.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
I think some sort of RSS feed reader would be a good addition. I’m not certain “chat” fits with the definition of “storage” you’re going for, but IM/VOIP could be included.
Also, what about online file storage/transfer i.e. box.net and yousendit? Too esoteric?
In relation to blogs/podcasts…they are indeed stores of ideas, thoughts, experiences, etc. Perhaps including the hosted WP, MT, TP options for blogs and something like libsyn for podcasts could work and not break down the thinking.
Blogs aren’t as much social networking as they are an echo chamber, with the exception of a few where there is actually a community (Darren’s blog is a good example of that). I would argue that blogs would go under the “People” category anyway, as a sub-category, but that nobody who’s not into the internet really cares 🙂 I do think that IM has been hugely influental on The Kids These Days, though, and deserves an include somewhere…
You make a good point about IM. Mind you, the diagram is about data desinations, not mediums, so I’m unclear about how I can fit it in.
I know you’re trying to keep the blog/podcast/IM thing out of it, but there does seem to be a void there without them. I think maybe it’s just that they don’t fit onto the chart as you’ve drawn it. Maybe this diagram would be part of a larger one (perhaps a cycle) where these mediums plug into blogs etc. What’s lacking maybe is that blogs also plug into these mediums. But perhaps you’re already assuming this?