I've been using LinkedIn a lot more lately. No, I'm not looking for a new job or anything, but I've realized the importance of networking and "staying connected" with various people. You never know when those connections might come in handy.

A lot of people are mixed about LinkedIn. Some people sign up, use it once or twice, and then are never heard from again. This is normal for any application that isn't generally an everyday app. Others are power-users - many being recruiters, salespeople, headhunters or various forms of HR. I'd like to think I fall somewhere in the middle. I attempt to use it.

As I've become more comfortable with its interface, I've begun to use the site more and more in areas that many rarely get into. Take recommendations for example. Few people take the time to send out recommendations, and when they do, it's seldom to more than their close friends or favorite co-workers.

I've made it a rule that if you're connected to me on LinkedIn - and you're not a douchebag - and I've done business with you in the past, I'll write you a recommendation. This is, of course, for past co-workers, etc. I generally won't write a recommendation for somebody I'm still working with, since I can't give a complete overview of the relationship.

I don't write glowing recommendations, mind you. This isn't a way for my friends to get their egos stroked. The recommendations I've written are all tailored directly to the person's strengths as I attempt to create a unique apraisal for them.

For example, I recently wrote the following about Chris Arkenberg:

"One of the more brilliant futurists I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, I've worked with Chris on several personal projects meant to disseminate advanced thought. Chris was one of the first people to recognize the value of Twitter as an emergent application of the intelligent web. In fact, he was involved in researching ideas on the "intelligent web" before the term was ever coined, and is currently using that knowledge to develop a better understanding of digital culture."

I've known Chris in an online capacity for close to five years now, stemming back from our Key 23 days. His involvement in the digital culture - and knowledge of the digital lifestyle - goes without saying. Incidently, Chris was the person who first invited me to join a little known web site at the time called Twitter (which I agreed to sign up for, but didn't use for almost a year until it started to catch on). Chris was there first. As you can see, the recommendation fits the person.

Writing these recommendations on LinkedIn is not only making me utilize the web site and its network more, but it's training me in understanding the value in the connections that I've made over the last several years, and keeps me on the look out for solid future connections that could be mutually beneficial.