News

‘My Site’ gives users tools for professional networking

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78 ABW/PA
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Facebook and MySpace addicts probably know those social networking sites cannot be accessed on computers at Robins, but there is an alternative for those interested in professional networking.

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, also known as SharePoint or MOSS 2007, includes a feature called My Site, in which users can create their own page and include information about themselves that other users can see.

"My Site is a personal SharePoint site that gives the user a central location to manage and store documents and contacts," said Melony Davis, Standards Element chief in the 878th Communication Squadron. "It's similar to Facebook and MySpace in the sense that it is your personal site. However, it is a professional Air Force site and has to be created and maintained as such. Things you put on there should be appropriate to the work environment."

The base began a migration to MOSS 2007 last August, and now all organizations within the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center have been converted except for the 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing, Ms. Davis said. The 542nd should be converted within a couple of more months.

To get to the site, users should go to the SharePoint site of their organization and look in the upper right hand corner of the browser and click on "My Site." That will take users to the page where they can input personal information - their resume, their job description, photos of themselves and anything else that might be relevant to their jobs.

It includes a "colleague tracker" feature, where they can keep up with others on base, especially those with whom the user might not have frequent contact.

My Site is one of three types of sites on MOSS 2007, Ms. Davis said. The others are organization sites and community sites.

Just like Facebook, users can designate information on their site that can only be viewed by certain people, said Tiffany Wright, SharePoint developer in the Standards Branch.

Ms. Davis said users can put such information on their site as hobbies and interests that may relate to the workplace. They should avoid such subjects as religion and politics.

The information is on a server at Air Force Materiel Command, so My Site can be used as a backup for storing information in the event that it is lost on the office computer.

For those who are still learning MOSS 2007, Ms. Davis said the office will soon be putting out video tips to help people learn how to use the software. The videos will include one on setting up My Site.