By Francine Kizner

twitter.com
What it is: A 140-character-per-post microblogging service
The cost: Free
What you can share: Messages, links and public and private replies
How to use it: Create private work accounts to keep info in-house, then share via web, mobile or desktop app
Who sees your posts: Your "followers" or the general public, per your update settings
Frustrations: Needing separate public and private accounts isn't ideal, and archives can be messy.
Why to use it: The short posts allow for quick info exchange; public accounts are good for PR and crowdsourcing answers.

yammer.com
What it is: A company-focused forum for co-workers to share what they're working on
The cost: Free for basic services; $1 per month per user for businesses to take more control of their networks
What you can share: Messages, links and replies
How to use it: Follow colleagues, tags and discussion threads via web, mobile, IM or desktop app
Who sees your posts: Those within your business who have a company e-mail, or selected departments and groups
Frustrations: You have to remember to tag your posts.
Why to use it: This insular network becomes a light and mobile intranet replacement.

Want to monetize your MySpace page or add a shop to your blog? Check out these four options:

E-junkie

Listening to your customers on social sites isn't just a trend; it's crucial to establishing your brand as connected, helpful and hip. But with accounts on multiple social sites connecting you to disparate groups of friends, colleagues and contacts, keeping an eye on their updates and managing your own can become an unwieldy and time-consuming process. Thankfully for the time-strapped entrepreneur, there has been a surge in apps that can help manage your contacts and updates, and keep you abreast of new activity.

Flock is a fully integrated social media web browser that lets you see your recent updates from Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Digg, Delicious, Flickr and YouTube. You can also make updates, manage media uploads, drag and drop items to share with friends, blog straight from a pop-up window, and get a customized homepage with your network updates and RSS feeds. Essentially a tricked-out version of Firefox, it still has some room to grow and integrate with more social sites, but it has its basics covered in a slick and useful package. Download the browser at flock.com.

FriendFeed doesn't send info to your social sites, but it gives you updates on all the sites your friends are using and creates a master feed of all your online activity. If your friends aren't set up on FriendFeed, you can create an "imaginary friend" to import their blog, Flickr, Yelp, Twitter and other info streams. FriendFeed also acts as a stand-alone social site, with options for posting notes, photos and links, as well as commenting on others' contributions, wherever they came from. Create an account at friendfeed.com.

Artwork: Chip Taylor Product: SoyPrint
Price: $60 to $199
How it saves: Now available for office printing, soy-based toners are recyclable, nontoxic and free of petroleum products. SoyPrint is compatible with Hewlett-Packard business printers and Canon fax machines, and it makes paper easier to recycle or even compost. SoyPrint toners for other brands are expected to roll out this month.

Product: Western Digital Caviar GreenPower Hard Drive
Price: Starting at $70
How it saves: Reduce power use and increase energy efficiency with GreenPower hard drives, which are quieter and cooler than their counterparts. These drives save 4 watts to 5 watts per year compared to standard drives.

Sure, facebook and myspace can be useful tools for networking with consumers and peers, but what about all the other social networks on the web with more specific purposes or narrower audiences? The list is endless and runs the gamut, but the eight below are some of our favorites.
1.   APSense.com: Tap into an affiliate marketing revenue stream by promoting products and sites on your business profile, and get paid for the friends you refer.
2.   Biznik.com: Join your local business community to connect and collaborate with nearby entrepreneurs, and find out about local seminars and events.
3.   Entrepreneur Connect: Share ideas, join groups, publish content and promote your business on Entrepreneur's own network.
4.   FastPitchNetworking.com: Create a profile, product listings and blog, and take advantage of e-mail marketing and virtual trade shows.
5.   GoBigNetwork.com: Get serious about fast growth in this startup community focused on finding funding, talent and expert advice.
6.   Konnects.com: Build a network among other startup entrepreneurs and launch your own branded network when you're ready.
7.   Marzar.com: Connect with other business owners while promoting products and services in the marketplace.
8.   Xing.com: Search this global site for business partners, contacts and professional opportunities.
4. Can you talk about insurance packages that are optional, specifically those the company doesn’t pay into but employees get a discounted group rate? These insurance packages can be almost anything—pet insurance or even insurance for cancer patients.