Real Time Collaboration and Web 2.0 tools, tips, and reviews

I recently posted about OpenBC, a European networking site. I liked it primarily because it offered a more global participation than other sites, and for it's discussion boards (which LinkedIn doesn't seem to offer - please correct me if I'm wrong). In terms of my own personal experience, participation on e-mail lists and discussion boards have done the most for me in terms of networking.

The problem I have with LinkedIn, though, is the way they approach registrants; that "Give us the names of everyone you know" bit. While I understand the whole six degrees of separation thing, I really hate being asked to provide the names of my friends so that you can bug them to buy your product or service, or to get you a job.

For me, the best type of networking is for you to offer the very best service or product that you can. Excellence is a rare thing, and if you can offer it in whatever you do, it will stand out from the rest of the mediocre masses. People will notice. They'll be attracted. They'll share the news with others. And you'll never once have to give up a friend's information to an inquisitive networking service.